Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against and requires affirmative action for qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of employment. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance and in federally conducted programs. Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in any WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity. This law is enforced by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).
Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employers of 15 or more workers, employment agencies, and labor organizations of 15 or more workers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities.
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in programs, activities, and services.
The Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) prohibits discrimination against and requires affirmative action for qualified special disabled veterans, as well as other categories of veterans. This law is enforced by the OFCCP.
Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants, employees, and participants in WIA Title I-financially assisted programs and activities, and programs that are part of the One-Stop system. Section 188 also prohibits discrimination on the grounds of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation or belief, and for beneficiaries only, citizenship or participation in a WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity. This law is enforced by the Civil Rights Center.
Additional information on topics relevant to the people with disabilities can be found within the Disability Resources topic.
Webpages on this Topic
Section 503 Questions and Answers
Section 503 covers persons with a wide range of mental and physical impairments that substantially limit or restrict a major life activity such as hearing, seeing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for one's self, learning or working.
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
Enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and VEVRAA.
Civil Rights Center (CRC)
Monitors and enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for applicants and employees of the Department of Labor. The Civil Rights Center also enforces nondiscrimination requirements in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance and federally conducted programs. CRC also enforces Title II, Subpart A of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for all programs, services and regulatory activities relating to labor and the workforce.
Disability and Employment
One-stop center for information relating to issues and training for people with disabilities in the workforce.
Laws on this Topic
29 USC §793 - Rehabilitation Act of 1973
29 USC §2938 - Nondiscrimination Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act
38 USC §4212 - Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974
42 USC §12112-12117 - Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
42 USC §12131-12134 - Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Regulations on this Topic
29 CFR Part 32 - Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial Assistance
29 CFR Part 33 - Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of Labor
29 CFR Part 35 - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services
29 CFR Part 37 - Implementation of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA)
29 CFR Part 1630 - Regulations to Implement the Equal Employment Provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act
41 CFR Part 60-250 - Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era
41 CFR Part 60-741 - Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Individuals with Disabilities
41 CFR Part 60-742 - Procedures for Complaints/Charges of Employment Discrimination Based on Disability Filed Against Employers Holding Government Contracts and Subcontracts