Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 503) is a law that prohibits covered federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities and requires employers take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote and retain these individuals. Section 503 and its implementing regulations include an aspirational utilization goal of 7% to give these employers a yardstick against which they can measure the success of their efforts in outreach to and recruitment of individuals with disabilities.
Federal contractors and subcontractors are also subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). VEVRAA prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against protected veterans in employment, including disabled veterans and requires that employers take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote and retain veterans.
Section 503 and VEVRAA are enforced by the department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). ODEP works closely with OFCCP to help federal contractors and subcontractors meet their requirements and disability inclusion goals under Section 503 and their obligations under VEVRAA. ODEP’s Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) also provides resources for federal contractors and subcontractors on Section 503.
OFCCP Resources
- OFCCP website — Provides updated information on OFCCP activities, including Section 503 and VEVRAA guidelines, best practices and compliance assistance resources.
- OFCCP Section 503 Compliance Assistance — These webpages provide numerous resources to assist employers in meeting their responsibilities under Section 503, including:
- Guide for Small Businesses with Federal Contracts — Offers guidance specifically for small business federal contractors and subcontractors on how to comply with OFCCP laws and regulations, including Section 503.
- Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) — The webpage provides information about VEVRAA and its regulations and offers compliance assistance resources.
- Resources for Federal Contractors and Workers Related to Substance Use Disorder — This webpage provides information and resources for federal contractors and workers related to their obligations and rights concerning substance use disorder, including alcohol.
EARN Resources
- Federal Contractor Requirements — This resource provides information on obligations federal contractors have under Section 503 and recommendations to meet them.
Section 503 Best Practices for Federal Contractors — This resource provides strategies to help federal contractors meet their obligations under Section 503 and recruit, hire, retain and advance workers with disabilities. - National Industry Liaison Group (NILG) Federal Contractor & Subcontractor Compliance Info Center — This Info Center was developed as part of ODEP’s Alliance with NILG. It provides information, tools and resources to help federal contractors and subcontractors comply with regulations and meet disability inclusion goals.
- Engaging Employees to Measure Success: Innovative Approaches to Encouraging Self-Identification of Disability — This guide explores strategies federal contractors and subcontractors can use to encourage applicants and employees to voluntarily self-identify as a person with a disability. Under Section 503, covered federal contractors and subcontractors must invite applicants and employees to self-identify as a person with a disability.
- Inclusion@Work: A Framework for Building a Disability-Inclusive Organization — This employer framework outlines seven core components for creating disability-inclusive workplace cultures along with strategies for success.
- Dinah Cohen Learning Center — The Learning Center offers a series of self-paced training courses introducing the basics of disability inclusion at work, as well as archived webinars on promising and emerging practices to build disability-inclusive workplaces.
For more resources to assist employers in efforts to increase disability inclusion, visit ODEP's Employers page.