Individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination in
employment primarily by the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act. The Department of
Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
provides publications and other technical
assistance on the requirements of these laws. However, ODEP does not
enforce these laws.
The Department of Labor's Office of Federal
Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) enforces Section 503 of the
Rehabilitation Act, which requires federal contractors and subcontractors with
government contracts in excess of $10,000 to take affirmative action to employ
and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.
Additionally, OFCCP has coordinating authority under Title I of the Americans
with Disabilities Act, which prohibits job discrimination by employers against
qualified individuals with disabilities. The
Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has primary authority for
enforcing the employment-related provisions of the ADA, which are found in
Title I. Most government contractors are covered by both Section 503 and Title
I of the ADA.
OFCCP also enforces the
Vietnam Era Veterans'
Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). Some disabled veterans are covered
under this law. If a covered disabled veteran believes he or she has been
discriminated against by a federal contractor or subcontractor, he or she may
file a complaint with
OFCCP.
The Departments Civil Rights Center (CRC)
enforces the employment-related provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act. Section 504 covers organizations and entities that receive federal
financial assistance from DOL. CRC also enforces Title II of the ADA as that
title applies to the labor- and workforce-related practices of state and local
governments and other public entities. Finally, CRC enforces Section 188 of the
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), which bars disability-based
discrimination by programs and activities that are part of the
One-Stop employment and training
system established by WIA Title I. See the Laws &
Regulations subtopic for specific information on these laws.
Employment Rights: Who Has
Them and Who Enforces Them Explains the federal laws that protect
individuals with disabilities and how to file a complaint with the agencies
that enforce these laws.
What To Do If You Think You
Have Been Discriminated Against Provides guidance on what to do if you
think you are the victim of employment-related discrimination based on
disability.
Section 503 Fact
Sheet Provides information on the basic provisions and requirements of
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Vietnam Era
Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Fact Sheet Provides an
overview of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, which
prohibits employment discrimination against certain veterans with
disabilities.
Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Programs The Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Programs enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 402 of the
Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.
State Liaisons This
directory provides a list of state contacts on disability issues in each
state.
Civil
Rights Information from DisabilityInfo.gov Information about employment,
housing, transportation, and many other rights afforded to people with
disabilities.
Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) The EEOC enforces Title I of
the ADA.
Department
of Justice The Department of Justice enforces parts of the ADA and
coordinates enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Section
508.gov This Web site, developed by the Center for Information
Technology Accommodation in the U.S. General Services Administration's Office
of Governmentwide Policy, contains resources for understanding and implementing
the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
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