Grant Parish School Board is committed to ensuring that its website, digital documents, programs, services, and activities are accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. The district is working to make public web content conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, as incorporated into the U.S. Department of Justice’s Title II regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 28 C.F.R. Part 35.
Under the DOJ’s 2024 Final Rule on web accessibility, 28 C.F.R. §§ 35.200–35.205, Grant Parish School Board falls within the sub-50,000 population tier. The applicable compliance deadline is April 26, 2027. The district is actively working toward conformance before this date.
ADA Nondiscrimination Notice
Required by 28 C.F.R. § 35.106. Public entities must provide notice that they do not discriminate on the basis of disability.
Grant Parish Public Schools does not discriminate against people with disabilities in its services, programs, or activities. The district will make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination and to ensure equal access to programs and services for persons with disabilities, unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity. The district will also provide effective communication for people with disabilities.
ADA Coordinator
Required by 28 C.F.R. § 35.107(a). Public entities with 50 or more employees must designate an ADA Coordinator and make the coordinator’s contact information publicly available.
The ADA Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the district’s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title II of the ADA. Contact the coordinator to request an accommodation, report a barrier, or ask about the district’s ADA self-evaluation or transition plan.
Melissa H. Steelman
Human Resources Director
Grant Parish School System
P.O. Box 208 / 512 Main Street
Colfax, Louisiana 71417
(318) 627-3274, Ext. 1103
msteelman@gpsb.org
Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Report a Barrier or Request Assistance
While the district works to maintain an accessible website, some content or features may not yet be fully accessible. If you encounter an accessibility barrier, need a document in an alternative format, or need a reasonable accommodation to access district services, contact the ADA Coordinator so the district can assist you and address the issue.
Contact the ADA Coordinator
Report a website barrier, request help accessing content, or ask for an accommodation by phone or email.
Request an Alternative Format
If you need information from this website in another format, such as large print, Braille, audio, or a screen-reader-compatible document, contact the ADA Coordinator.
Email Accessibility RequestADA Grievance Procedure
Required by 28 C.F.R. § 35.107(b). Public entities with 50 or more employees must adopt and publish grievance procedures for resolving complaints of disability discrimination.
Grant Parish School Board has adopted an internal grievance procedure for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging disability discrimination under Title II of the ADA. Title II provides that a qualified individual with a disability may not, because of disability, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in programs or activities sponsored by a public entity.
How to File an ADA Complaint
Complaints should be addressed to Melissa H. Steelman, ADA Coordinator, Grant Parish School Board, P.O. Box 208, Colfax, LA 71417. Complaints may also be made by phone at (318) 627-3274, Ext. 1103.
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File a complaint
A complaint may be filed in writing or verbally. The complaint should include the name and address of the person filing it and briefly describe the alleged violation.
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File within 10 days
A complaint should be filed within 10 days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation. Complaints about discrimination that occurred before this grievance procedure was in place will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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Investigation
An investigation, as appropriate, will follow the filing of a complaint. The investigation will be conducted by the Superintendent or designee. The process is intended to be informal but thorough and will give interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint.
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Written determination
A written determination about the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, will be issued by the Superintendent or designee. A copy will be forwarded to the complainant no later than 30 days after the complaint is filed.
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Recordkeeping
The ADA Coordinator will maintain the files and records of the Grant Parish School Board related to ADA complaints filed under this procedure.
Retaliation, coercion, intimidation, threats, or interference are prohibited. Grant Parish School Board will not discriminate against any individual for reporting possible disability discrimination, filing a complaint, participating in an investigation or proceeding, or assisting another person in exercising rights protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Ongoing Accessibility Work
Grant Parish School Board is continuing work to improve the accessibility of its website and digital content. Current efforts include:
Website & Document Review
- Designing and updating web content with WCAG accessibility requirements in mind.
- Reviewing pages for keyboard access, heading structure, color contrast, and image alternative text.
- Working to improve the accessibility of online forms and downloadable documents.
Training & Barrier Response
- Testing website content with automated tools and manual review.
- Training staff and content editors on accessible content practices.
- Addressing reported accessibility barriers as they are identified.
ADA Self-Evaluation
28 C.F.R. § 35.105(c). Public entities with 50 or more employees must complete an ADA self-evaluation and make it available for public inspection for at least three years.
The district’s ADA self-evaluation is available for public inspection upon request. To review the self-evaluation, contact Melissa H. Steelman, Human Resources Director and ADA Coordinator, at (318) 627-3274, Ext. 1103 or msteelman@gpsb.org.
File an External Complaint
You are not required to file a complaint with the district before contacting a federal agency. You may file a complaint at any time with either of the following:
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
Online: ada.gov
Phone: 1-800-514-0301
TTY: 1-800-514-0383
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Online: OCR Complaint Portal
Phone: 1-800-421-3481
Email: OCR@ed.gov