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- Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
-
Fair Housing Act
-
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA)
-
Local Laws and
Regulations
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Resources
Several federal, state, and local laws and regulations cover disability related grievances and discriminatory actions. This publication explains what agencies enforce specific disability related laws, where to file complaints, and the available legal resources.
Disability related discrimination complaints can be filed at the local, state, and federal levels. People with disabilities should carefully consider the nature of their complaint and gather information about applicable laws to determine where and how to file complaints. Information is power. The more people with disabilities know about the applicable laws, the better prepared they are to assure they are enforced.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 preceded the Americans with Disabilities Act and is applicable to all federal programs and programs that receive federal funding, such as housing programs, educational agencies, and colleges and universities.
Section 504 states that "no qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under" any program or activity that either receives federal financial assistance or is conducted by any Executive agency or the United States Postal Service.
Each federal agency has its own set of section 504 regulations that apply to its own programs. Agencies that provide federal financial assistance also have section 504 regulations covering entities that receive federal aid. Requirements common to these regulations include reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities; program accessibility; effective communication with people who have hearing or vision disabilities; and accessible new construction and alterations. Each agency is responsible for enforcing its own regulations. For example, the U. S. Department of Education enforces Section 504 in educational settings. Section 504 may also be enforced through private lawsuits. It is not necessary to file a complaint with a Federal agency or to receive a "right-to-sue" letter before going to court.
For information on how to file 504 complaints with the appropriate agency, contact
U.S. Department of Justice
www.ada.gov
1-800-514-0301, TTY 1-800-514-0383
Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section - NYAV
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Section 508 establishes requirements for electronic and information technology developed, maintained, procured, or used by the federal government. Section 508 requires federal electronic and information technology to be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public.
An accessible information technology system is one that can be operated in a variety of ways and does not rely on a single sense or ability of the user. For example, a system that provides output only in visual format may not be accessible to people with visual impairments and a system that provides output only in audio format may not be accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Some individuals with disabilities may need accessibility-related software or peripheral devices in order to use systems that comply with Section 508.
For more information on section 508, contact the following.
U.S. General Services Administration Center for IT Accommodation
(CITA)
www.itpolicy.gsa.gov/cita
202-501-4906 TTY 202-501-2010
U.S. Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board)
www.access-board.gov
1-800-872-2253 TTY 1-800-993-2822
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law for persons with disabilities. The ADA defines disability as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; having a record of such impairment; or being regarded as having such impairment. The ADA does not specifically name the disabilities that it covers. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.
The ADA has five titles, or sections, which are as follows:
- Title I-Employment
- Title II-State and Local Governments
- Title III-Public Accommodations
- Title IV-Telecommunications
- Title V-Miscellaneous
The Department of Justice (DOJ) enforces all titles of the ADA, but focuses mainly on Titles II and III through the Disability Rights Section of its Civil Rights Division.
The ADA mandates the Department of Justice to educate and provide technical assistance to businesses, state and local governments, and individuals. The department can answer questions about the ADA, advise the public on rights and responsibilities under the law, and provide technical assistance materials. The DOJ maintains a toll-free ADA Information Line, ADA Internet Web site, and fax-on-demand service. However, they will not answer questions about employment and will refer callers to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (see Title I below).
One 800 number connects people with disabilities to the DOJ Civil Rights Division and the ADA Information Line, as does the Web site www.ada.gov.
U.S. Department of Justice
www.ada.gov
1-800-514-0301, TTY 1-800-514-0383
Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section - NYAV
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
In addition, the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTAC) provide information and technical assistance on the ADA. The U. S. Department of Education through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) funds these ten regional centers.
Regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance
Centers
www.adata.org
Voice/TTY 800-949-4232
ADA Information Center for the Mid-Atlantic
Region
www.adainfo.org
Voice/TTY 301-217-0214
451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 607
Rockville, MD 20850
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is primarily, but not exclusively, responsible for handling complaints of employment discrimination and enforcing Title I of the ADA.
The ADA requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from the full range of employment related opportunities available to others. For example, it prohibits discrimination in recruitment, hiring, promotions, training, pay, social activities, and other privileges of employment. It restricts questions that can be asked about an applicant's disability before a job offer is made, and it requires that employers make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities, unless it results in undue hardship. (Note: See also the Fairfax County Human Rights Commission; Fairfax County prohibits discrimination in employment by employers having four or more employees).
Charges of employment discrimination based on disability may be filed at any U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) field office. Complaints must be filed within 180 days from the date of discrimination, or 300 days if the complaint is filed with a designated state or local fair employment agency. Individuals may file suit in Federal court only after they get a "right-to-sue" letter from the EEOC. Field office serving the Northern Virginia area is the Washington Field Office.
Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
www.eeoc.gov
1-800-669-4000, TTY 1-800-669-6820
EEOC Washington Field Office
www.eeoc.gov/washington/index.html
202-419-0700, TTY 202-419-0702, FAX 202-419-0740
1400 L Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005
Information about employment accommodations is available through the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). JAN is a telephone consulting service funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. It provides information and advice to employers and people with disabilities on reasonable accommodation in the workplace.
Job Accommodation Network
http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu
Voice/TTY 1-800-526-7234, Voice/TTY 1-800-ADA-WORK, Voice/TTY
304-293-7186
PO Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080
Title II-State and Local Governments
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is primarily responsible for enforcing Title II. In addition, DOJ can assign Title II complaints to eight other federal agencies-the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Health and Humans Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, and Transportation-for resolution. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) oversees publicly operated paratransit complaints under Title II.
Title II covers all activities of state and local governments, no matter the size of the government or the money they receive from the federal government. Title II requires that state and local governments give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities-for example, public education, employment, transportation, recreation, health care, social services, courts, voting, and town meetings.
State and local governments must follow specific standards when constructing new building or renovating existing ones. They also must relocate programs or otherwise provide access in inaccessible older buildings. They must communicate effectively with people who have hearing, vision, or speech disabilities.
However, public entities are not required to take actions that would result in undue financial and administrative burdens. They are required to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures where necessary to avoid discrimination, unless they can demonstrate that doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity being provided.
Complaints of title II violations may be filed with the Department of Justice within 180 days of the date of discrimination. The Department may bring a lawsuit where it has investigated a matter and has been unable to resolve the violations of the ADA. Title II may also be enforced through private lawsuits in Federal court. It is not necessary to file a complaint with the Department of Justice or any other Federal agency, or to receive a "right-to-sue" letter, before going to court.
Voice/TTY 301-217-0214
451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 607
Rockville, MD 20850
Title III-Public Accomodations
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is primarily responsible for enforcing Title III. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) oversees complaints against privately operated paratransit under Title III.
The ADA covers public accommodations. Public accommodations are private entities which own, lease, lease to, or operate facilities such as restaurants, retail stores, hotels, movie theaters, private schools, convention centers, doctors’ offices, homeless shelters, transportation depots, zoos, funeral homes, day care centers, and recreation facilities, including sports stadiums and fitness clubs.
Public accommodations must not exclude, segregate, or treat unequally people with disabilities. They must also comply with specific requirements related to architectural standards for new and altered buildings; reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures; effective communication with persons with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities; and other access requirements. Additionally, public accommodations must remove barriers in existing buildings where it is easy to do so without difficulty or expense, given the public accommodation’s resources.
Courses and examinations related to professional, educational, or
trade-related applications, licensing, certifications, or credentialing
must be provided in a place and manner accessible to people with
disabilities, or alternative accessible arrangements must be
offered.
Commercial facilities, such as factories and warehouses, must comply
with the ADA's architectural standards for new construction and
alterations.
Complaints of title III violations may be filed with the Department of
Justice. In certain situations, cases may be referred to a
mediation program sponsored by the Department. The Department is
authorized to bring a lawsuit where there is a pattern or practice of
discrimination in violation of title III, or where an act of
discrimination raises an issue of general public importance. Title
III may also be enforced through private lawsuits. It is not
necessary to file a complaint with the Department of Justice (or any
Federal agency), or to receive a "right-to-sue" letter, before
going to court.
Title IV-State and Local Governments
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) handles issues related to Title IV of the ADA. Title IV addresses telephone and television access for people with hearing and speech disabilities. It requires telephone companies to establish interstate and intrastate telecommunications relay services (TRS) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TRS enables callers with hearing and speech disabilities who use text telephones (TTY's or TDD's), and callers who use voice telephones, to communicate with each other through a third party communications assistant. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set minimum standards for TRS services. Title IV also requires closed captioning of federally funded public service announcements.
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro
1-888-225-5322
TTY 1-888-835-5322
The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. It covers private housing, housing that receives federal financial assistance, and state and local government housing. It is unlawful to discriminate in any aspect of selling or renting housing or to deny a dwelling to a buyer or renter because of he or anyone associated with the transaction has a disability. Financing, zoning practices, new construction design, and advertising must also not be discriminatory.
The Fair Housing Act requires owners of housing facilities to make reasonable exceptions in their policies and operations to afford persons with disabilities equal housing opportunities. For example, a landlord with a “no pets” policy may be required to allow a guide dog for a tenant who is blind. The Fair Housing Act also requires landlords to allow tenants with disabilities to make access-related modifications to their private living space or common use spaces, although often that must be done at the tenants’ expense. The Act further requires that new multifamily housing with 4 or more units be designed and built to allow access for persons with disabilities. This includes accessible common use areas, doors that are wide enough for wheelchairs, kitchens and bathrooms that allow a person using a wheelchair to maneuver, and other features within the units that can be adapted.
Complaints of Fair Housing Act violation may be filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Program Compliance and Disability Rights
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
451 7th Street SW, Room 5242
Washington, DC 20410
www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/index/cfm
1-800-669-9777
TTY 1-800-927-9275
Information is also available through the Virginia Fair Housing Office.
Virginia Fair Housing Office
3600 West Broad Street, 5th Floor
Richmond, VA 23230
www.fairhousing.vipnet.org
1-888 551-3247
TTY 1-804-367-9753
THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public schools to make available to all eligible children with disabilities a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment that also meets their individual needs.
If a child is found eligible to receive special education services, IDEA requires public school systems to develop an Individualized Education Programs (IEP’s) for that child. The IEP needs to state what specific special education and related services will be provided to meet the individualized needs of that student. An IEP team develops the IEP; the team includes at a minimum a general educator, special educator, principal, and parent; others who know the child can also participate. An IEP team should include the child if he is older than 14. The IEP can be reviewed and revised by the IEP team at any time, but at a minimum must be reviewed annually.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act includes due process rights and procedural safeguards. Parents must receive a copy of those rights each time that the IEP team meets or some action takes place—for example, to evaluate a child for eligibility for special education or to change the setting where the child receives her education. If parents disagree with the proposed IEP, and matters cannot be resolved with school officials at the local level, they can request a due process hearing or mediation. The request for a due process hearing must be made in writing and addressed to the local school system; a copy should be sent to the Virginia Department of Education. If someone believes that the local school system is not providing special education to eligible students properly, one can file an administrative complaint with the state’s educational agency.
Virginia Department of Education
P. O. Box 2120
101 North 14th street
Richmond, VA 23218
www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/sped/
1-800-292-3820
TTY 711
The federal agency in charge of compliance with IDEA is the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. They also monitor states to determine if they comply with the law and provide technical assistance to states and local school systems. A Web site, www.ideapractices.org, is useful to parents and school personnel.
U. S. Department of Education
Office of Special Education Programs,
Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services
330 C Street, SW, Room 3086
Washington, DC 20202
www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP
Voice/TTY 202-205-5507
The federal government also funds parent information and training centers in each state. The PACER Center is the national technical assistance center for parent training and information. The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) provides the parent training and information for the state of Virginia.
PACER Center
8161 Normandale Blvd
Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044
www.taalliance.org
1-888-248-0822
TTY 1-952-838-0190
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC)
6320 Augusta Drive, # 1200
Springfield, VA 22150
www.peatc.org
703-923-0010
TTY 711
The Fairfax County Human Rights Commission works to eliminate discrimination in Fairfax County and provides resident recourse for discriminatory acts. The office will receive and investigate complaints filed by any person who believes they have been discriminated against in Fairfax County on the basis of disability in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, education, or finances.
Fairfax County Human Rights Commission
1200 Government Center Parkway, Suite 318
Fairfax, VA 22035
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hrc/index.htm
703-324-2953
TTY 703-324-2900
The Fairfax County Office of Equity Programs (OEP) investigates complaints of discrimination by Fairfax County programs and services. This includes complaints by prospective employees that they have been discriminated against in the hiring process. And they also investigate complaints by current employees that they are being discriminated against in the workplace. County residents can lodge a complaint with OEP if they believe that the county government has discriminated against them because of a disability.
The Office of Equity programs has a Citizen Complaint Form (also available on their Web site) that can be filled out, printed, and then mailed or faxed to the OEP.
Office of Equity Programs
Fairfax County Government
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 339
Fairfax, VA 22035
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gov/oep
703-324-2207
TTY 703-222-5494
Various other federal, state, and local agencies serve as advocates for persons with disabilities. They can also be a source of information and receive complaints for discriminatory action.
The National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems (NAPAS) is the national membership association of state and local protection and advocacy systems, and client assistance programs. These disability rights systems and programs are legally based and mandated by congress
National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems
900 Second Street NE, Suite 211
Washington, DC 20002
www.protectionandadvocacy.com
202-408-9514
TTY 202-408-9521
The Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (VOPA) provides assistance for disability related problems such as abuse, neglect, and discrimination. The state and federal programs fund VOPA’s mission to promote independence, choice, and self-determination of persons with a disability. VOPA handles problems related to education, residential care, training centers, community rehabilitation programs, infant programs, and activity centers. It can be a resource for advocacy and/or legal representation.
Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy
1910 Byrd Avenue, Suite 5
Richmond, VA 23230
www.vopa.state.va.us
Voice/TTY 1-800-552-3962
Voice/TTY 804-225-2042
Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) is a non-profit law firm with offices throughout Northern Virginia that provides free legal assistance on civil matters to income-eligible residents who have mental or physical disabilities. Without legal assistance, these residents would lose a critical human need such as food, shelter, income, medical care, or personal safety. They handle civil cases involving child advocacy, consumer law, employment law, housing law, Medicare, Medicaid, and public benefits. LSNV’s Web site includes links to public forms covering a wide assortment of subjects pertaining to legal assistance. An online application for legal service that can be filled out on the computer screen, printed, and then faxed to LSNV’s main office to the attention of the Intake Manager.
Legal Services of Northern Virginia
6066 Leesburg Pike, Suite 500
TTY 711 Falls Church, VA 22041
www.lsnv.org
703-778-6800
703-246-4500
A Web site operated by the University of Buffalo in New York, entitled “Cornucopia of Disability Information – Legal Issues,” contains two directories for sources of legal assistance: codi.buffalo.edu/legal.html
The Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School provides brief summaries of disability law topics with links to key primary source material, other Internet resources, and useful references: www.law.cornell.edu/topics/disability.html
In addition to the above listed references, persons with disabilities can always contact Fairfax County Government’s Disability Services Planning and Development for assistance and/or guidance in matters pertaining to disability related legal resources.
Disability Services Planning and Development
Fairfax County Government
12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 708
Fairfax, VA 22035
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dsb/
703-324-5421
TTY 703-449-1186
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