Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of benefits and services as amended 29 USC § 794, against otherwise qualified disabled individuals. This includes in programs and activities receiving financial assistance from HHS 45 CFR 84; and programs or activities conducted by HHS 45 CFR 85.

OCR Finalizes Section 504 Rule to Strengthen Protections Against Disability Discrimination

On May 1st 2024, OCR finalized a rule that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. This rule, titled Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, advances equity and bolsters protections for people with disabilities under Section 504. Reflecting over 50 years of advocacy by the disability community, the Section 504 Final Rule clarifies and strengthens civil rights protections for people with disabilities, addresses discrimination in medical treatment, adds enforceable standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment, and ensures accessible web content and mobile apps. The rule advances the promise of the Rehabilitation Act and helps protect people with disabilities from experiencing discrimination in any program or activity receiving funding from HHS because of their disability. To learn more, follow the links below:

Section 504 NPRM Stakeholders Webinar

On September 18, 2023, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) hosted a webinar, along with the Administration for Community Living, on OCR’s proposed rule that would update the regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The rule, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, updates critical provisions that help persons with disabilities access health and human services. To view the OCR webinar, please click here.

OCR Issues Proposed Rule on Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability Proposed Rule under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Public Comment

The proposed rule seeks comment on a variety of issues to better understand individuals’ experiences with health care and human services discrimination on the basis of disability and recipients’ experiences in complying with federal civil rights laws. The comment period will be open for 60 days for members of the public to provide comments on the proposed rule. OCR will consider those comments as it drafts a final rule to implement Section 504.

Click here for the Fact Sheet: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability Proposed Rule Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The Fact Sheet is available in the following languages:

You can submit comments, identified by RIN 0945-AA15, electronically through http://www.regulations.gov, or by mail or by hand delivery or courier to the following address only: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, Attention: 504 NPRM (RIN 0945-AA15), Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20201.

The NPRM may be viewed or downloaded at Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities.

For more information, please go to OCR’s website at www.hhs.gov/ocr

*People using assistive technology may not be able to fully access information in these files. For assistance, contact the HHS Office for Civil Rights at (800) 368-1019, TDD toll-free: (800) 537-7697, or by emailing OCRMail@hhs.gov.

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