Laws & Regulations

ADA.gov

Provides information on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations for businesses and state and local governments; technical assistance materials and updates on new ADA requirements.

American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Mental & Physical Disability Law

The Commission's mission is to promote the ABA's commitment to justice and the rule of law for persons with mental, physical and sensory disabilities and to promote their full and equal participation in the legal profession.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information Line

The U.S. Department of Justice provides information about the ADA through a toll-free information line (1-800-514-0301). This service permits businesses, state and local governments and others to ask questions about general or specific ADA requirements and order ADA technical assistance materials.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Insurance & Benefits

Information from the U.S. Department of Labor concerning sections of the ADA that prohibit discrimination in employer-provided health insurance.

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

Legislative issues regarding the rights of people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities.

Cancer in the Workplace & the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Frequently Asked Questions

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) fact sheet addresses common questions regarding the ADA in relation to cancer.

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act

Guidance and enforcement information from the the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act.

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act: Has It Fulfilled Its Promise?

2005 report from the National Council on Disability regarding the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, which was passed in 1980 to enable the Department of Justice (DOJ) to protect the rights of people residing in state institutions.

Community-Based Services

Information and resources from the National Organization on Disability on increasing alternatives to institutional services and other issues related to community-based services and legislation.

Continuation of Health Coverage

Shortcuts to information and services the U.S. Department of Labor offers concerning the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and other health insurance issues.

Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) New Freedom Initiative Information

Information on HHS' programs under President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative, which works to eliminate the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in community life.

Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights

Information on accessibility guidelines, disability resources and how to file a complaint.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Disability Rights Section

Conducts enforcement, certification, regulatory, coordination and technical assistance activities required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Department of Labor's Office of Workers Compensation Programs

Learn about the Black Lung Benefits Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, two major disability compensation programs for work-related injury or occupational disease.

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

A national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing civil rights of people with disabilities through legislation, litigation, advocacy, technical assistance and education of attorneys, advocates, persons with disabilities and parents.

Effective Ergonomics

Information on the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) four-pronged program to address musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace.

Elder Law Answers: Nursing Home Resident Rights

Discussions of evaluating and choosing a facility, generating family consensus, resident rights, and dispute resolution in nursing home selection.

Employment of Health Care Workers with Disabilities

Fact sheet from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) explaining how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) might apply to particular situations involving job applicants and employees in the health care field.

Empowering through the New Freedom Initiative

Information on New Freedom Initiative efforts from the White House Web site.

Enforcement Guidance on Pre-employment Disability-Related Questions & Medical Examinations

This document provides the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on pre-employment disability-related questions and medical examinations.

Enforcement Guidance on Workers' Compensation & the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Details the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) position on the interaction between Title I of the ADA and state workers' compensation laws.

Epilepsy in the Workplace: Frequently Asked Questions

Fact sheet from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding epilepsy in the workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Fair Credit Reporting Medical Information Regulations - Proposed Rule

Proposed regulations implementing section 411 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act), which substantially amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act with a new section restricting the circumstances under which consumer reporting agencies may furnish consumer reports that contain medical information about consumers.

Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Provides information on the FMLA, which allows employees to balance their work and family responsibilities by taking unpaid leave for certain reasons.

Filing a Complaint with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)

Information on filing a discrimination complaint with HHS' Office for Civil Rights, including how to obtain a discrimation complaint form.

Guide to Disability Rights Laws

Provides a brief overview of 11 federal laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities and provides information about the federal agencies to contact for more information.

Guidelines for Making Health Settings Accessible to People With Disabilities

Information on developing guidelines for making health venues, events and facilities accessible to people with disabilities.

Health Care & Your Civil Rights

Information on how to file a complaint if you have been discriminated against by a state or local social services, by a health services agency or by a hospital receiving federal funds.

Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) Fact Sheet

Protects and improves the portability and continuity of health insurance coverage and requires that most health plans provide coverage for pre-existing medical conditions after 12 months.

Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA): What It Means for Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services

Information on how HIPAA regulations affect practices for community treatment providers, consumers, single state agencies, public and private payers of alcohol, substance abuse and mental health services and professional and trade associations.

Law, Health Policy & Disability Center

Based at the University of Iowa College of Law, the Center is an emerging leader in law, technology, education and research and is focused on improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

Medical & Disability-Related Leave

Fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides information regarding the rights of employees who are injured or disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions for Citizenship

USCIS Form N-648 from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for applicants seeking an exception from the English and U.S. history and government (civics) requirements for naturalization based on physical or developmental disability or mental impairment.

Medicare - Stay Healthy

Consumer-oriented health news and information on new Medicare preventive benefits.

Medicare Modernization Act (MMA)

Information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding implementation of MMA benefits and reforms. Reforms under the MMA include more affordable health care, prescription drug coverage to all people with Medicare, expanded health plan options, improved health care access for rural Americans and preventive care services.

Mental Health Benefits

Shortcuts to information and services the U.S. Department of Labor offers concerning mental health issues, including the Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA).

Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA) Summary

Information on the MHPA, which provides regulations regarding mental health benefits under group health plans.

Mental Health Parity Resources

Publications and links regarding mental health parity.

New Freedom Initiative

Full text of President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative, which addresses assistive and universal technologies, educational opportunities, homeownership, integration into the workforce, transportation options and full access to community life.

Nondiscrimination in Programs or Activities Conducted by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)

Information on the regulation that requires HHS to operate all of its programs and activities to ensure nondiscrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities.

Overview of the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA)

Information and resources on the ADA from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth.

Psychiatric Disabilities & the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Enforcement Guidance

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance on enforcing ADA provisions as they relate to psychiatric disabilities.

Regulations.gov

Find, review and submit comments on federal documents that are open for comment and published in the Federal Register, the government's legal newspaper.

Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity & Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health

Information on a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) center that works to counter stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness by gathering information and research and providing technical assistance and support.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Information on the rights of people with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Top 10 Ways to Make Your Health Benefits Work for You

Information on health care rights and options and links to other online publications to help make health care decisions.

Working Partners for an Alcohol- & Drug-Free Workplace: Laws

A brief outline of aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 related to employees and drug and alcohol abuse.

Working Partners for an Alcohol- & Drug-Free Workplace: Workers in Recovery

Provides information and addresses misconceptions regarding hiring people recovering from substance abuse.

Your Rights After a Mastectomy

Information on rights covered under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998.

  • The White House: President George W. Bush
  • USA.gov: The U.S. government's official web portal.