OCR Publishes Annual Review of Services

The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has published its report to the President and the Secretary of Education for the fiscal year 2022. 

In FY 2022, OCR processed a massive increase in complaints, totaling 18,804. 32% were disability related, a decrease from prior years- disability complaints usually comprise a larger share of total complaints filed and this year’s decrease is misleading. “In FY 2022, however, OCR received 7,339 complaints filed by a single individual, raising sex discrimination allegations; this high volume altered the ratio of complaint filings for this fiscal year.” 

Among its main activities, OCR issued policy guidance for Section 504, Title II, most notably relating to: Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), compensatory services for students with disabilities during COVID, and discriminatory use of student discipline. 

OCR also created a 20-part video series on digital accessibility in partnership with the ADA National Network. Of the complaints regarding Section 504 and Title II: Discrimination Based on Disability, four categories reached over 1,000: Academic Adjustments (1,028), Retaliation (1,708), Different Treatment/Exclusion/Denial of Benefits (1,856), and FAPE (3,363). The report noted, “In FY 2022, OCR resolved 5,187 Section 504/Title II-related complaints, addressing the generally broad range of issues raised with OCR in complaints under these laws. 

In addition, OCR initiated 100 compliance reviews focused on web accessibility and based on concerns about potential violations of disability laws.”  The annual review also includes examples from individual case investigations that illustrate the nature of complaints and actions taken.

Read the report in its entirety here.