The Rehabilitation Act is the Federal legislation that authorizes the formula grant programs of vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, independent living, and client assistance. The Act also includes several sections (501, 503, 504 & 508) concerning rights, advocacy, access and protections for individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted and funded by the Federal government (504). It covers discrimination in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors (501 & 503). Also, it requires Federal electronic and information technology to be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public (508). Due to the scope of the Act, we have provided links to both the full text of the law, as well as information on specific sections covering access and protections for people with disabilities.
Full Text of the Law:
Resources & Compliance
Section 501 — Federal Employment
Section 501 requires affirmative action and nondiscrimination in employment by Federal agencies of the executive branch. The standards for determining employment discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act are the same as those used in Title I of the ADA .
Section 501 — Compliance
To obtain more information or to file a complaint, Federal employees should contact their agency's Equal Employment Opportunity Office.
Section 503 — Employment by Federal Contractors
Section 503 requires affirmative action and prohibits employment discrimination by Federal government contractors and subcontractors with contracts of more than $10,000.
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room C-3325
Washington, D.C. 20210
Voice: 1-202-693-0106
Section 503 — Compliance
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room C-3325
Washington, D.C. 20210
Voice: 1-202-693-0106
Section 504 — Non-Discrimination in Programs Conducted and Funded by the Federal government
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.
Section 504 — Compliance
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:
Disability Rights Section
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O Box 66738
Washington, D.C. 22035-6738
Voice: 1-800-514-0301
TTY: 1-800-514-0383
Section 508 Requires Federal Electronic and Information Technology be Accessible to People with Disabilities
Section 508 established requirements for electronic and information technology developed, maintained, procured, or used by the Federal government and stipulates such technology to be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public.
Note: The procurement standards from Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act has been referenced in State Law via California Government Code Section 11135-11139.8
Department of Justice
[email protected]
Voice mail: 1-202-305-8304
TTY mail: 1-202-353-8944
Facsimile: 1-202-307-1198
The United States Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. The Access Board is responsible for: maintaining accessibility requirements for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology; providing technical assistance and training on these guidelines and standards and enforcing accessibility standards for federally funded facilities.
U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (U.S. Access Board)
1331 F Street, N.W. Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20004-1111
Voice: 1-800-872-2253
TTY: 1-800-993-2822
U.S. General Services Administration Center for IT Accommodation (CITA)
1800 F Street, N.W., Room 1234, MC: MKC
Washington, D.C. 20405-0001
Voice: 1-202-501-4906
TTY: 1-202-501-2010
For website accessibility by persons with disabilities:
The Web Access Initiative, Making the Web Accessible
Section 508 — Compliance
Complaints should be filed with the Federal department or agency alleged to be in non-compliance.
For information on how to file 508 complaints with the appropriate agency, contact:
Disability Rights Section
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O Box 66738
Washington, D.C. 22035-6738
Voice: 1-800-514-0301
TTY: 1-800-514-0383
