(a) Remedial action. If the Director finds that a recipient has discriminated against persons on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, the recipient shall take remedial action as the Director considers necessary to overcome the effects of the discrimination.
(b) Affirmative action. In the absence of a finding of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in any program or activity, a recipient may continue to encourage participation by all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age.
(c) Self-evaluation. Each recipient shall, within one year of the effective date of this part:
(1) Whenever possible, evaluate, with the assistance of interested persons, including handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped persons, its current policies and practices and the effects thereof that do not or may not meet the requirements of this part;
(2) Modify any policies and practices which do not or may not meet the requirements of this part; and
(3) Take appropriate remedial steps to eliminate the effects of discrimination which resulted or may have resulted from adherence to these questionable policies and practices.
(d) Availability of self-evaluation and related materials. Recipient shall maintain on file, for at least three years following its completion, the evaluation required under paragraph (c) of this section, and shall provide to the Director, upon request, a description of any modifications made under paragraph (c)(2) of this section and of any remedial steps taken under paragraph (c)(3) of this section. [45 FR 40515, June 13, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51346, Aug. 26, 2003]