The Rehabilitation
Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability
in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs receiving
Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in
the employment practices of Federal contractors. The standards
for determining employment discrimination under the Rehabilitation
Act are the same as those used in title I of the
Americans
with Disabilities Act.
Section 501
Section 501 requires affirmative action and nondiscrimination
in employment by Federal agencies of the executive branch.
To obtain more information or to file a complaint, employees
should contact their agency's Equal
Employment Opportunity Office.
Section 503
Section 503 requires affirmative action and prohibits employment
discrimination by Federal government contractors and subcontractors
with contracts of more than $10,000. For more information
on section 503, contact:
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room C-3325
Washington, D.C. 20210
www.dol.gov/esa/ofccp/index.htm
(202) 693-0106 (voice/relay)
Section 504
Section 504 states that "no qualified individual with
a disability in the United States shall be excluded from,
denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination
under" any program or activity that either receives Federal
financial assistance or is conducted by any Executive agency
or the United States Postal Service.
Each Federal agency has its own set of section 504 regulations
that apply to its own programs. Agencies that provide Federal
financial assistance also have section 504 regulations covering
entities that receive Federal aid. Requirements common to
these regulations include reasonable accommodation for employees
with disabilities; program accessibility; effective communication
with people who have hearing or vision disabilities; and accessible
new construction and alterations. Each agency is responsible
for enforcing its own regulations. Section 504 may also be
enforced through private lawsuits. It is not necessary to
file a complaint with a Federal agency or to receive a "right-to-sue"
letter before going to court.
For information on how to file 504 complaints with the appropriate
agency, contact:
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Disability Rights Section - NYAV
Washington, D.C. 20530
www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
(800) 514-0301 (voice)
(800) 514-0383 (TTY)
Section 508
Section 508 establishes requirements for electronic and information
technology developed, maintained, procured, or used by the
Federal government. Section 508 requires Federal electronic
and information technology to be accessible to people with
disabilities, including employees and members of the public.
An accessible information technology system is one that can
be operated in a variety of ways and does not rely on a single
sense or ability of the user. For example, a system that provides
output only in visual format may not be accessible to people
with visual impairments and a system that provides output
only in audio format may not be accessible to people who are
deaf or hard of hearing. Some individuals with disabilities
may need accessibility-related software or peripheral devices
in order to use systems that comply with Section 508. For
more information on section 508, contact:
U.S. General Services Administration
Center for IT Accommodation (CITA)
1800 F Street, N.W.,
Room 1234, MC:MKC
Washington, DC 20405-0001
www.itpolicy.gsa.gov/cita
(202) 501-4906 (voice)
(202) 501-2010 (TTY)
U.S. Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board
1331 F Street, N.W. Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004-1111 www.access-board.gov
800-872-2253 (voice)
800-993-2822 (TTY)
The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination
on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal
agencies, in programs receiving Federal financial assistance,
in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of
Federal contractors.
- Section 501
Section 501 requires affirmative action and nondiscrimination
in employment by Federal agencies of the executive branch.
- Section 503
Section 503 requires affirmative action and prohibits employment
discrimination by Federal government contractors and subcontractors
with contracts of more than $10,000.
- Section 504
Section 504 states that "no qualified individual with
a disability in the United States shall be excluded from,
denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination
under" any program or activity that either receives
Federal financial assistance or is conducted by any Executive
agency or the United States Postal Service.
- Section 508
Section 508 establishes requirements for electronic and
information technology developed, maintained, procured,
or used by the Federal government.
If you believe you know of a Rehabilitation
Act violation,
Click here for Immediate Rehabilitation
Act Assistance.
Get
Immediate Rehabilitation Act Assistance
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