Adaptive Equipment for Individuals with Disabilities Enrolled in Funded Vocational Education Programs can be obtained through Appropriation 681, through the following process:

A small portable item is an item that is priced under the $1,000 equipment criteria (or even under $500) and has a life expectancy of one year. This item also is not likely to be missed immediately upon its disappearance. Examples include, but are not limited to, tablets, laptops, cameras, shop tools, etc. A recipient's internal controls shall be sufficient to account for all such purchases made with federal and/or state funds. This is why DCTE requires items costing more than $500 and “walkables” be maintained in inventory.

DCTE retains a vested interest in the equipment purchased with the Perkins funds for its useful life cycle (currently five years). If the program/project for which it was purchased is discontinued or if the equipment is no longer needed in the program, a request shall be made through the Accountability and Perkins Program Coordinator to reassign the equipment as outlined in 2 CFR § 200.313. Equipment shall be used in the program or project for which it was acquired as long as needed. When no longer needed for the original program or project, the equipment shall be used in other activities in the following priorities: (1) other activities supported by Perkins and (2) other activities supported by federal education funds. When no longer needed by the recipient in any program, a request shall be made to sell or use the equipment for a trade-in with the proceeds offsetting the replacement cost. Any additional funds shall be returned to support the CTE program of study.

Equipment uses shall always be for educational purposes. No equipment purchased through Perkins grant funding or state start-up funding shall be used for any purpose other than educational use to train students enrolled in the program area for which the equipment was purchased.

Each Career and Technical Education (CTE) Occupational Area issues minimum equipment lists annually. The equipment lists are considered the minimum equipment necessary for students to master the program area standards established by the Division of Career and Technical Education. The current version of equipment lists applies to new programs of study being implemented during the school year in which the equipment lists are issued. Equipment lists may be located at the Division's Occupational Areas web page. Secondary centers located on a post-secondary campus have flexibility on the equipment utilized according to equipment approved by the Office of Skills Development through the Career Education Workforce Development Board.

Facility requirements shall meet Arkansas Department of Education guidelines https://dpsaft.ade.arkansas.gov/facilities/arkansas-school-facilities-manual. Equipment requirements may be obtained from the appropriate Occupational Area office and shall be met within the specified time for program approval.

Space and special equipment for CTE labs are varied and unique. Safety should be of the utmost consideration at all times in planning a facility and locating equipment. Sufficient electrical power should be included to support major pieces of equipment in the lab, including a sufficient number of electrical outlets. OSHA standards shall be followed where applicable.

A student wash-up area and proper exhaust and filtration of harmful fumes/dust shall be provided according to the facilities requirements document: http://arkansasfacilities.arkansas.gov/public/userfiles/documents/Facilities_Manual_20162017/FM_Career_Education.pdf. The laboratory shall be zoned and color-coded identifying specific work areas and pedestrian walkways. Large open areas for instructional activities shall be provided. Caution shall be exercised and enrollment shall be limited so that an overcrowded situation does not occur. For the specifications for the lab areas, please see the Arkansas Facilities website linked in the Facilities section above.