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Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794d, requires federal agencies to ensure electronic and information technology it develops, procures, maintains or uses is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Web Accessibility The United States International Trade Commission is committed to making its Website accessible to all citizens and ensuring that it meets or exceeds the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you have any section 508 issues with any page on our site, please send a signed, written complaint within 180 days of the incident that gave rise to the complaint to the following address: United States International Trade Commission Or If you would like to file a Section 508-related complaint, please complete the following web form Your complaint should include sufficient details of the alleged failure to procure accessible technology in compliance with Section 508 that will enable the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity to understand what occurred, where and when it occurred and the responsible USITC office, if known. The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity will investigate your complaint against the United States International Trade Commission pursuant to the compliance procedures set forth in 29 U.S.C. 794 d(f)(2). Alternative Means of Filing a Complaint: The United States International Trade Commission will provide appropriate assistance to complainants who may need help in filing their complaint, and will consider complaints filed in alternate forms. For example, a complainant with a disability may file a complaint electronically, by audiotape, in Braille, or in some other format. Electronic complaints should be sent to AccessibilityIssuesandComplaints@usitc.gov. Additionally, oral complaints will be considered if the complainant is unable to write and cannot have someone write out the complaint for him or her. To file a complaint telephonically, complainants should call (202) 205-2240 or TDD (202) 205-1810. Your Rights If you are a qualified person with a disability, and experience difficulties accessing our services or participating in our programs because of your disability, you can request a reasonable accommodation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, in order to be able to receive the services or participate in the program. You can make your request for an accommodation directly to the program office. What Is Section 504? Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. The nondiscrimination requirements of the law applies to organizations that receive financial assistance from any Federal department or agency, including the United States International Trade Commission. Section 504 prohibits organizations and the Commission from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. It defines the rights of individuals with disabilities to participate in, and have access to, program benefits and services. The year 2013 marks the 40th anniversary the Rehabilitation Act. The Rehabilitation Act was the first major national law offering protection against disability discrimination and is the precursor to the Americans with Disabilities Act. The law was signed on September 26, 1973. Initially, the Rehabilitation Act prohibited discrimination in federal employment based on disability. The protections under the Rehabilitation Act have since expanded to prohibit discrimination based on disability in federally conducted programs; in programs that receive federal financial assistance; and to require the federal Government to use and purchase accessible electronic and information technology. Who Is Protected from Discrimination? Section 504 protects qualified individuals with disabilities. Under this law, individuals with disabilities are defined as persons with a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. People who have a history of, or who are regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, are also covered. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for one's self, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, performing manual tasks, and learning. In addition to meeting the above definition, for purposes of receiving services, qualified individuals with disabilities are persons who meet normal and essential eligibility requirements of a program. Reasonable accommodation means the Commission or its recipient is required to take reasonable steps to accommodate your disability unless it would cause the entity an undue burden. A recipient of federal financial assistance may not, on the basis of disability:
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Last Updated: 01/2015