The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 prohibits discrimination by air carriers on the basis of disability. It includes provisions concerning physical facilities and services to be provided to passengers with disabilities. This law is enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation. For further information, contact:
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
(800) 778-4838 (voice) (800) 455-9880 (TTY)
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov
E-mail: airconsumer@ost.dot.gov
In light of the heightened security at the nation’s airports, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has taken steps to ensure that the rights of passengers with disabilities are protected. TSA has issued guidance to air travelers, including those with disabilities, on new security screening procedures. This guidance is intended to inform passengers with disabilities of their rights, including those with mobility, hearing, or vision impairments. For further information on security screening procedures, contact:
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
(866) 289-9673 toll-free
Email: TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov
Private Sector and State and Local Government Sector
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 covers access to state and local government facilities (Title II). With respect to the private sector, the ADA (Title III) ensures access to places of public accommodation, such as stores, restaurants, theaters, and other facilities open to the public, and to commercial facilities. These must meet accessibility standards issued under the law when they are built or altered. In addition, the ADA has requirements that may require retrofit of existing facilities. These standards are based on guidelines developed by the Access Board. The ADA also has provisions for access that may require retrofit for existing facilities. For further information, contact:
Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
(800) 514-0301 (voice) (800) 514-0383 (TTY)
www.ada.gov
In addition to the ADA, states and local jurisdictions may have their own access laws and codes. State codes may be more stringent than the ADA's requirements or may cover facilities the ADA does not. For further information, see our list of state code contacts.
Federally Funded Facilities
Facilities designed, built, altered, or leased with Federal funds may be subject to the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968. This includes not only Federal facilities, such as social security offices and post offices, but also non-Federal facilities that received Federal funding, such as certain schools, civic centers, and public housing projects. This law is enforced by the Access Board. Information on filing a complaint under the ABA is available on this website.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, State and local government services, transportation, public accommodations, commercial facilities and telecommunications. Title I prohibits discrimination against qualified disabled individuals in employment and includes special features related to reasonable accommodations, qualification standards and other labor management issues. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces this title. For more information, contact:
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(800) 669-4000 (voice) (800) 669-6820 (TTY)
www.eeoc.gov
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination based on disability in Federal employment and federally funded programs and services, by Federal contractors, and in the availability and use of Federal agencies’ electronic and information technology. Section 501 of this act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in Federal employment and applicants for employment. Federal agencies are required to make reasonable accommodations for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities. To file a Section 501 complaint, contact the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer in the employing agency. If you already have raised the issue with your agency’s EEO Officer and it was not resolved, you may contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (see above).
Section 503 of this act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by Federal contractors and is enforced by the:
U.S. Department of Labor
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
(202) 693-0101
www.dol.gov
Information on Section 503 is posted at: www.dol.gov/dol/topic/discrimination/disabilitydisc.htm
The Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act, as amended in 1988, prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of disability, as well as race, color, gender, and religion. It covers housing in the public and private sectors and bans discrimination in any aspect of selling or renting housing. Under the law, new multifamily housing must be able to be adapted for accessibility according to established guidelines. The law also requires reasonable exceptions to housing policies and operations so that people with disabilities are afforded equal housing opportunities. For further information, contact:
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
(800) 669-9777 (voice) (800) 927-9275 (TTY)
www.hud.gov
Further information on filing a complaint is posted on this site or can be obtained through a local HUD office serving your area.
Public Housing
Public housing is also covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, which prohibits discrimination in facilities that are owned or operated by state and local governments. This section of the ADA (Title II) is enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice. For further information contact:
Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
(800) 514-0301 (voice) (800) 514-0383 (TTY)
www.ada.gov
In addition, housing that is designed, built, altered, or leased with Federal funds may be subject to the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), which is enforced by the Access Board. Information on filing an ABA complaint is posted on this website.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 508) requires access to the Federal government's electronic and information technology. The law covers all types of electronic and information technology in the Federal sector and is not limited to assistive technologies used by people with disabilities. It applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use such technology. Federal agencies must ensure that this technology is accessible to employees and the public to the extent it does not pose an "undue burden." Covered technologies must be accessible according to access standards developed by the Access Board that have been incorporated into the Federal government's procurement regulations. To file a complaint under Section 508, contact the Federal agency responsible for the technology in question.
Access to electronic and information technology may also be required under laws concerning employment and accommodation of employees.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, State and local government services, transportation, public accommodations, commercial facilities and telecommunications. Title II of the law requires access to programs and services provided by state and local governments. Title III of the ADA covers access to places of public accommodation and commercial facilities and includes provisions against discrimination that may apply to the provision of goods and services. For further information, contact:
Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
(800) 514-0301 (voice) (800) 514-0383 (TTY)
www.ada.gov
For programs or services related to public transportation, see transportation.
Federally Funded Programs and Service
The Rehabilitation Act of
1973 (Section 504) ensures access to programs and activities that are funded by
Federal agencies.
Each Federal agency is responsible for ensuring that the programs and
activities it funds are accessible as required by Section 504. For further
information, contact the appropriate Federal agency's Section
504 contact.
The Telecommunications Act
The Telecommunications Act of 1996
(Section 255) requires that telecommunications service providers and equipment
manufacturers make their services and equipment accessible to persons with
disabilities, to the extent that it is readily achievable to do so. It covers a
broad range of products, including telephones, cellular phones, pagers, and fax
machines which are subject to design requirements established by the Access
Board. The Federal Communications Commission is responsible for the overall
implementation and enforcement of access requirements for both
telecommunications services and equipment.
Federal Communications Commission
www.fcc.gov (For information on Section 255: www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/section255.html)
(888) 225-5322 (voice) (888) 835-5322 (TTY)
E-mail: access@fcc.gov
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, State and local government services, transportation, public accommodations, commercial facilities and telecommunications. Title II addresses services and activities of State and local governments, including actions applicable to public transportation provided by public entities. (Note: Transportation facilities and vehicles operated by private companies are covered under Title III.) These transportation provisions are intended to improve access in equipment (buses, rail coaches), facilities and paratransit. Complaints concerning public transportation should be directed to:
Director, Office of Civil Rights
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 7th Street, S.W., Room 10215
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-4648
http://www.fta.dot.gov
The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act requires access to polling places used in Federal elections. The law also requires States to make available registration and voting aids, such as instructions in large type. If a State or political subdivision does not comply with this act, the U.S. Attorney General or the person affected by the noncompliance may bring action for relief in the appropriate district court. To file a complaint, contact:
Voting Section, Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, DC 20035-6128
(800) 253-3931 (voice/TTY)
www.usdoj.gov/crt
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 establishes requirements for voting systems used in Federal elections and contains key provisions on improving access to polling places and voting systems for persons with disabilities. The law requires every precinct in the country to have at least one voting machine or system accessible to persons with disabilities, including those with vision impairments, by January 1, 2006. Access is required so that persons with disabilities have the same opportunity for participation, including privacy and independence, afforded other voters.
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
1225 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20005
(866) 747-1471
www.eac.gov