Rehabilitation Act

The Rehab 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:

Requires affirmative action and nondiscrimination in employment by Federal agencies of the executive branch.

Section 503:

Requires affirmative action and prohibits employment discrimination by Federal government contractors and subcontractors with contracts of more than $10,000.

Information: Office of Federal Contract Compliance – 1-202-693-0106 or www.dol.gov/esa/ofccp

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 Postal Service.

Complaints: Department of Justice – 1-800-514-0301 or www.ada.gov

Section 508:

Establishes requirements for electronic and information technology developed, maintained, procured, or used by the Federal government, and that electronic and information technology 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 e accessible to people with visual impairments.

Information: General Services Administration – 1-202-501-4906 or www.gsa.gov/section508