29 USC 794 - Nondiscrimination under Federal grants and programs

Collapse to view only § 794. Nondiscrimination under Federal grants and programs

§ 790. Repealed.
§ 791. Employment of individuals with disabilities
§ 792. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
§ 793. Employment under Federal contracts
§ 794. Nondiscrimination under Federal grants and programs
§ 794a. Remedies and attorney fees
§ 794b. Removal of architectural, transportation, or communication barriers; technical and financial assistance; compensation of experts or consultants; authorization of appropriations
§ 794c. Interagency Disability Coordinating Council
§ 794d. Electronic and information technology
§ 794d-1. Reports on accessibility of electronic information to individuals with disabilities
§ 794e. Protection and advocacy of individual rights
§ 794f. Establishment of standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment
§ 794g. Limitations on use of subminimum wage

§ 790. Repealed. Pub. L. 102–569, title V, § 502(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4424

§ 791. Employment of individuals with disabilities

(a) Interagency Committee on Employees who are Individuals with Disabilities; establishment; membership; co-chairmen; availability of other Committee resources; purpose and functions

(b) Federal agencies; affirmative action program plans

(d) Report to Congressional committees

(e) Federal work experience without pay; non-Federal status

(f) Standards used in determining violation of section

(Pub. L. 93–112, title V, § 501, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 390; Pub. L. 98–221, title I, § 104(b)(3), Feb. 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 18; Pub. L. 99–506, title I, § 103(d)(2)(C), title X, §§ 1001(f)(1), 1002(e)(1), (2)(A), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1810, 1843, 1844; Pub. L. 100–630, title II, § 206(a), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3310; Pub. L. 102–54, § 13(k)(1)(B), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 276; Pub. L. 102–569, title I, § 102(p)(29), title V, § 503, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4360, 4424; Pub. L. 103–73, title I, § 112(a), Aug. 11, 1993, 107 Stat. 727; Pub. L. 105–220, title III, § 341(c), title IV, § 408(a)(1), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1092, 1202; Pub. L. 109–435, title VI, § 604(d), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3242; Pub. L. 111–256, § 2(d)(3), Oct. 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 2643; Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 456(a), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1675.)

§ 792. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board

(a) Establishment; membership; chairperson; vice-chairperson; term of office; termination of membership; reappointment; compensation and travel expenses; bylaws; quorum requirements

(1) There is established within the Federal Government the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (hereinafter referred to as the “Access Board”) which shall be composed as follows:

(A) Thirteen members shall be appointed by the President from among members of the general public of whom at least a majority shall be individuals with disabilities.

(B) The remaining members shall be the heads of each of the following departments or agencies (or their designees whose positions are executive level IV or higher):

(i) Department of Health and Human Services.

(ii) Department of Transportation.

(iii) Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(iv) Department of Labor.

(v) Department of the Interior.

(vi) Department of Defense.

(vii) Department of Justice.

(viii) General Services Administration.

(ix) Department of Veterans Affairs.

(x) United States Postal Service.

(xi) Department of Education.

(xii) Department of Commerce.

The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Access Board shall be elected by majority vote of the members of the Access Board to serve for terms of one year. When the chairperson is a member of the general public, the vice-chairperson shall be a Federal official; and when the chairperson is a Federal official, the vice-chairperson shall be a member of the general public. Upon the expiration of the term as chairperson of a member who is a Federal official, the subsequent chairperson shall be a member of the general public; and vice versa.

(2)

(A)

(i) The term of office of each appointed member of the Access Board shall be 4 years, except as provided in clause (ii). Each year, the terms of office of at least three appointed members of the board 1

1 So in original. Probably should be “Access Board”.

shall expire.

(ii)(I) One member appointed for a term beginning December 4, 1992 shall serve for a term of 3 years.(II) One member appointed for a term beginning December 4, 1993 shall serve for a term of 2 years.(III) One member appointed for a term beginning December 4, 1994 shall serve for a term of 1 year.(IV) Members appointed for terms beginning before December 4, 1992 shall serve for terms of 3 years.

(B) A member whose term has expired may continue to serve until a successor has been appointed.

(C) A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term to which that member’s predecessor was appointed.

(3) If any appointed member of the Access Board becomes a Federal employee, such member may continue as a member of the Access Board for not longer than the sixty-day period beginning on the date the member becomes a Federal employee.

(4) No individual appointed under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection who has served as a member of the Access Board may be reappointed to the Access Board more than once unless such individual has not served on the Access Board for a period of two years prior to the effective date of such individual’s appointment.

(5)

(A) Members of the Access Board who are not regular full-time employees of the United States shall, while serving on the business of the Access Board, be entitled to receive compensation at rates fixed by the President, but not to exceed the daily equivalent of the rate of pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, including travel time, for each day they are engaged in the performance of their duties as members of the Access Board; and shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in carrying out their duties under this section.

(B) Members of the Access Board who are employed by the Federal Government shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in carrying out their duties under this section.

(6)

(A) The Access Board shall establish such bylaws and other rules as may be appropriate to enable the Access Board to carry out its functions under this chapter.

(B) The bylaws shall include quorum requirements. The quorum requirements shall provide that (i) a proxy may not be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum, and (ii) not less than half the members required for a quorum shall be members of the general public appointed under paragraph (1)(A).

(b) FunctionsIt shall be the function of the Access Board to—

(1) ensure compliance with the standards prescribed pursuant to the Act entitled “An Act to ensure that certain buildings financed with Federal funds are so designed and constructed as to be accessible to the physically handicapped”, approved August 12, 1968 (commonly known as the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968; 42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) (including the application of such Act to the United States Postal Service), including enforcing all standards under such Act, and ensuring that all waivers and modifications to the standards are based on findings of fact and are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section;

(2) develop advisory information for, and provide appropriate technical assistance to, individuals or entities with rights or duties under regulations prescribed pursuant to this subchapter or titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq. and 12181 et seq.) with respect to overcoming architectural, transportation, and communication barriers;

(3) establish and maintain—

(A) minimum guidelines and requirements for the standards issued pursuant to the Act commonly known as the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968;

(B) minimum guidelines and requirements for the standards issued pursuant to titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;

(C) guidelines for accessibility of telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment under section 255 of title 47; and

(D) standards for accessible electronic and information technology under section 794d of this title;

(4) promote accessibility throughout all segments of society;

(5) investigate and examine alternative approaches to the architectural, transportation, communication, and attitudinal barriers confronting individuals with disabilities, particularly with respect to telecommunications devices, public buildings and monuments, parks and parklands, public transportation (including air, water, and surface transportation, whether interstate, foreign, intrastate, or local), and residential and institutional housing;

(6) determine what measures are being taken by Federal, State, and local governments and by other public or nonprofit agencies to eliminate the barriers described in paragraph (5);

(7) promote the use of the International Accessibility Symbol in all public facilities that are in compliance with the standards prescribed by the Administrator of General Services, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the Act commonly known as the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968;

(8) make to the President and to the Congress reports that shall describe in detail the results of its investigations under paragraphs (5) and (6);

(9) make to the President and to the Congress such recommendations for legislative and administrative changes as the Access Board determines to be necessary or desirable to eliminate the barriers described in paragraph (5);

(10) ensure that public conveyances, including rolling stock, are readily accessible to, and usable by, individuals with physical disabilities; and

(11) carry out the responsibilities specified for the Access Board in section 794d of this title.

(d) Electronic and information technology accessibility training

(e) Investigations; hearings; orders; administrative procedure applicable; final orders; judicial review; civil action; intervention

(1) The Access Board shall conduct investigations, hold public hearings, and issue such orders as it deems necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Acts cited in subsection (b). Except as provided in paragraph (3) of subsection (f), the provisions of subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter 7 of title 5 shall apply to procedures under this subsection, and an order of compliance issued by the Access Board shall be a final order for purposes of judicial review. Any such order affecting any Federal department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States shall be final and binding on such department, agency, or instrumentality. An order of compliance may include the withholding or suspension of Federal funds with respect to any building or public conveyance or rolling stock found not to be in compliance with standards enforced under this section. Pursuant to chapter 7 of title 5, any complainant or participant in a proceeding under this subsection may obtain review of a final order issued in such proceeding.

(2) The executive director is authorized, at the direction of the Access Board—

(A) to bring a civil action in any appropriate United States district court to enforce, in whole or in part, any final order of the Access Board under this subsection; and

(B) to intervene, appear, and participate, or to appear as amicus curiae, in any court of the United States or in any court of a State in civil actions that relate to this section or to the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 [42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.].

Except as provided in section 518(a) of title 28, relating to litigation before the Supreme Court, the executive director may appear for and represent the Access Board in any civil litigation brought under this section.

(f) Appointment of executive director, administrative law judges, and other personnel; provisions applicable to administrative law judges; authority and duties of executive director; finality of orders of compliance

(1) There shall be appointed by the Access Board an executive director and such other professional and clerical personnel as are necessary to carry out its functions under this chapter. The Access Board is authorized to appoint as many administrative law judges as are necessary for proceedings required to be conducted under this section. The provisions applicable to administrative law judges appointed under section 3105 of title 5 shall apply to administrative law judges appointed under this subsection.

(2) The Executive Director shall exercise general supervision over all personnel employed by the Access Board (other than administrative law judges and their assistants). The Executive Director shall have final authority on behalf of the Access Board, with respect to the investigation of alleged noncompliance and in the issuance of formal complaints before the Access Board, and shall have such other duties as the Access Board may prescribe.

(3) For the purpose of this section, an order of compliance issued by an administrative law judge shall be deemed to be an order of the Access Board and shall be the final order for the purpose of judicial review.

(g) Technical, administrative, or other assistance; appointment, compensation, and travel expenses of advisory and technical experts and consultants

(1)

(A) In carrying out the technical assistance responsibilities of the Access Board under this section, the Board may enter into an interagency agreement with another Federal department or agency.

(B) Any funds appropriated to such a department or agency for the purpose of providing technical assistance may be transferred to the Access Board. Any funds appropriated to the Access Board for the purpose of providing such technical assistance may be transferred to such department or agency.

(C) The Access Board may arrange to carry out the technical assistance responsibilities of the Board under this section through such other departments and agencies for such periods as the Board determines to be appropriate.

(D) The Access Board shall establish a procedure to ensure separation of its compliance and technical assistance responsibilities under this section.

(2) The departments or agencies specified in subsection (a) of this section shall make available to the Access Board such technical, administrative, or other assistance as it may require to carry out its functions under this section, and the Access Board may appoint such other advisers, technical experts, and consultants as it deems necessary to assist it in carrying out its functions under this section. Special advisory and technical experts and consultants appointed pursuant to this paragraph shall, while performing their functions under this section, be entitled to receive compensation at rates fixed by the Chairperson,2

2 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.

but not exceeding the daily equivalent of the rate of pay for level 4 of the Senior Executive Service Schedule under section 5382 of title 5, including travel time, and while serving away from their homes or regular places of business they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of such title 5 for persons in the Government service employed intermittently.

(h) Omitted

(i) Grants and contracts to aid Access Board in carrying out its functions; acceptance of gifts, devises, and bequests of property

(1) The Access Board may make grants to, or enter into contracts with, public or private organizations to carry out its duties under subsections (b) and (c).

(2)

(A) The Access Board may accept, hold, administer, and utilize gifts, devises, and bequests of property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding and facilitating the functions of the Access Board under paragraphs (2) and (4) of subsection (b). Gifts and bequests of money and proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, devises, or bequests shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be disbursed upon the order of the Chairperson.2 Property accepted pursuant to this section, and the proceeds thereof, shall be used as nearly as possible in accordance with the terms of the gifts, devises, or bequests. For purposes of Federal income, estate, or gift taxes, property accepted under this section shall be considered as a gift, devise, or bequest to the United States.

(B) The Access Board shall publish regulations setting forth the criteria the Board will use in determining whether the acceptance of gifts, devises, and bequests of property, both real and personal, would reflect unfavorably upon the ability of the Board or any employee to carry out the responsibilities or official duties of the Board in a fair and objective manner, or would compromise the integrity of or the appearance of the integrity of a Government program or any official involved in that program.

(3) Omitted.

(j) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 93–112, title V, § 502, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 391; Pub. L. 93–516, title I, §§ 110, 111(n)–(q), Dec. 7, 1974, 88 Stat. 1619, 1621, 1622; Pub. L. 93–651, title I, §§ 110, 111(n)–(q), Nov. 21, 1974, 89 Stat. 2–4, 2–6, 2–7; Pub. L. 94–230, §§ 10, 11(b)(13), Mar. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 212, 214; Pub. L. 95–251, § 2(a)(8), Mar. 27, 1978, 92 Stat. 183; Pub. L. 95–602, title I, § 118, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2979; Pub. L. 96–374, title XIII, § 1321, Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1499; Pub. L. 98–221, title I, § 151, Feb. 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 28; Pub. L. 99–506, title I, § 103(d)(2)(C), title VI, § 601, title X, § 1002(e)(2)(B)–(D), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1810, 1829, 1844; Pub. L. 100–630, title II, § 206(b), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3311; Pub. L. 102–52, § 6, June 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 262; Pub. L. 102–54, § 13(k)(1)(A), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 276; Pub. L. 102–569, title I, § 102(p)(30), title V, § 504, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4360, 4424; Pub. L. 103–73, title I, § 112(b), Aug. 11, 1993, 107 Stat. 727; Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 408(a)(2), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1202; Pub. L. 105–394, title II, § 203(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3653; Pub. L. 108–364, § 3(b)(3), Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1737; Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 456(b), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1675.)

§ 793. Employment under Federal contracts

(a) Amount of contracts or subcontracts; provision for employment and advancement of qualified individuals with disabilities; regulations

(b) Administrative enforcement; complaints; investigations; departmental action

(c) Waiver by President; national interest special circumstances for waiver of particular agreements; waiver by Secretary of Labor of affirmative action requirements

(1) The requirements of this section may be waived, in whole or in part, by the President with respect to a particular contract or subcontract, in accordance with guidelines set forth in regulations which the President shall prescribe, when the President determines that special circumstances in the national interest so require and states in writing the reasons for such determination.

(2)

(A) The Secretary of Labor may waive the requirements of the affirmative action clause required by regulations promulgated under subsection (a) with respect to any of a prime contractor’s or subcontractor’s facilities that are found to be in all respects separate and distinct from activities of the prime contractor or subcontractor related to the performance of the contract or subcontract, if the Secretary of Labor also finds that such a waiver will not interfere with or impede the effectuation of this chapter.

(B) Such waivers shall be considered only upon the request of the contractor or subcontractor. The Secretary of Labor shall promulgate regulations that set forth the standards used for granting such a waiver.

(d) Standards used in determining violation of section

(e) Avoidance of duplicative efforts and inconsistencies

(Pub. L. 93–112, title V, § 503, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 393; Pub. L. 95–602, title I, § 122(d)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2987; Pub. L. 99–506, title I, § 103(d)(2)(B), (C), title X, §§ 1001(f)(2), (3), 1002(e)(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1810, 1843, 1844; Pub. L. 100–630, title II, § 206(c), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3312; Pub. L. 102–569, title I, § 102(p)(31), title V, § 505, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4360, 4427.)

§ 794. Nondiscrimination under Federal grants and programs

(a) Promulgation of rules and regulations

(b) “Program or activity” definedFor the purposes of this section, the term “program or activity” means all of the operations of—

(1)

(A) a department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or

(B) the entity of such State or local government that distributes such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the case of assistance to a State or local government;

(2)

(A) a college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or a public system of higher education; or

(B) a local educational agency (as defined in section 7801 of title 20), system of career and technical education, or other school system;

(3)

(A) an entire corporation, partnership, or other private organization, or an entire sole proprietorship—

(i) if assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or

(ii) which is principally engaged in the business of providing education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and recreation; or

(B) the entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship; or

(4) any other entity which is established by two or more of the entities described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3);

any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance.

(d) Standards used in determining violation of section

(Pub. L. 93–112, title V, § 504, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 394; Pub. L. 95–602, title I, §§ 119, 122(d)(2), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2982, 2987; Pub. L. 99–506, title I, § 103(d)(2)(B), title X, § 1002(e)(4), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1810, 1844; Pub. L. 100–259, § 4, Mar. 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 29; Pub. L. 100–630, title II, § 206(d), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3312; Pub. L. 102–569, title I, § 102(p)(32), title V, § 506, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4360, 4428; Pub. L. 103–382, title III, § 394(i)(2), Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 4029; Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 408(a)(3), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1203; Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1076(u)(2), Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2093; Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 456(c), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1675;

§ 794a. Remedies and attorney fees

(a)

(1) The remedies, procedures, and rights set forth in section 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–16), including the application of sections 706(f) through 706(k) (42 U.S.C. 2000e–5(f) through (k)) (and the application of section 706(e)(3) (42 U.S.C. 2000e–5(e)(3)) to claims of discrimination in compensation), shall be available, with respect to any complaint under section 791 of this title, to any employee or applicant for employment aggrieved by the final disposition of such complaint, or by the failure to take final action on such complaint. In fashioning an equitable or affirmative action remedy under such section, a court may take into account the reasonableness of the cost of any necessary work place accommodation, and the availability of alternatives therefor or other appropriate relief in order to achieve an equitable and appropriate remedy.

(2) The remedies, procedures, and rights set forth in title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) (and in subsection (e)(3) of section 706 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 2000e–5), applied to claims of discrimination in compensation) shall be available to any person aggrieved by any act or failure to act by any recipient of Federal assistance or Federal provider of such assistance under section 794 of this title.

(b) In any action or proceeding to enforce or charge a violation of a provision of this subchapter, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs.

(Pub. L. 93–112, title V, § 505, as added Pub. L. 95–602, title I, § 120(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2982; amended Pub. L. 111–2, § 5(c)(1), Jan. 29, 2009, 123 Stat. 6.)

§ 794b. Removal of architectural, transportation, or communication barriers; technical and financial assistance; compensation of experts or consultants; authorization of appropriations

(a) The Secretary may provide directly or by contract with State vocational rehabilitation agencies or experts or consultants or groups thereof, technical assistance—

(1) to persons operating community rehabilitation programs; and

(2) with the concurrence of the Access Board established by section 792 of this title, to any public or nonprofit agency, institution, or organization;

for the purpose of assisting such persons or entities in removing architectural, transportation, or communication barriers. Any concurrence of the Access Board under paragraph (2) shall reflect its consideration of cost studies carried out by States.

(b) Any such experts or consultants, while serving pursuant to such contracts, shall be entitled to receive compensation at rates fixed by the Secretary, but not exceeding the daily equivalent of the rate of pay for level 4 of the Senior Executive Service Schedule under section 5382 of title 5, including travel time, and while so serving away from their homes or regular places of business, they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5 for persons in the Government service employed intermittently.

(c) The Secretary, with the concurrence of the Access Board and the President, may provide, directly or by contract, financial assistance to any public or nonprofit agency, institution, or organization for the purpose of removing architectural, transportation, and communication barriers. No assistance may be provided under this subsection until a study demonstrating the need for such assistance has been conducted and submitted under section 792(i)(1) of this title.

(d) In order to carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary.

(Pub. L. 93–112, title V, § 506, as added Pub. L. 95–602, title I, § 120(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2983; amended Pub. L. 100–630, title II, § 206(e), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3312; Pub. L. 102–569, title V, § 507, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4428; Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 408(a)(4), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1203; Pub. L. 105–394, title II, § 203(b), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3653.)

§ 794c. Interagency Disability Coordinating Council

(a) Establishment

(b) Duties

The Council shall—

(1) have the responsibility for developing and implementing agreements, policies, and practices designed to maximize effort, promote efficiency, and eliminate conflict, competition, duplication, and inconsistencies among the operations, functions, and jurisdictions of the various departments, agencies, and branches of the Federal Government responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this subchapter, and the regulations prescribed thereunder;

(2) be responsible for developing and implementing agreements, policies, and practices designed to coordinate operations, functions, and jurisdictions of the various departments and agencies of the Federal Government responsible for promoting the full integration into society, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities; and

(3) carry out such studies and other activities, subject to the availability of resources, with advice from the National Council on Disability, in order to identify methods for overcoming barriers to integration into society, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities.

(Pub. L. 93–112, title V, § 507, as added Pub. L. 95–602, title I, § 120(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2983; amended Pub. L. 96–88, title V, § 508(m)(2), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 694; Pub. L. 98–221, title I, § 104(b)(4), Feb. 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 18; Pub. L. 99–506, title VI, § 602, title X, § 1001(f)(4), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1830, 1843; Pub. L. 102–569, title V, § 508(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4429; Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 456(d), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1676.)

§ 794d. Electronic and information technology

(a) Requirements for Federal departments and agencies

(1) Accessibility

(A) Development, procurement, maintenance, or use of electronic and information technology

When developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology, each Federal department or agency, including the United States Postal Service, shall ensure, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the department or agency, that the electronic and information technology allows, regardless of the type of medium of the technology—

(i) individuals with disabilities who are Federal employees to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of the information and data by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities; and

(ii) individuals with disabilities who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal department or agency to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of the information and data by such members of the public who are not individuals with disabilities.

(B) Alternative means efforts

(2) Electronic and information technology standards

(A) In general

Not later than 18 months after August 7, 1998, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (referred to in this section as the “Access Board”), after consultation with the Secretary of Education, the Administrator of General Services, the Secretary of Commerce, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the Secretary of Defense, and the head of any other Federal department or agency that the Access Board determines to be appropriate, including consultation on relevant research findings, and after consultation with the electronic and information technology industry and appropriate public or nonprofit agencies or organizations, including organizations representing individuals with disabilities, shall issue and publish standards setting forth—

(i) for purposes of this section, a definition of electronic and information technology that is consistent with the definition of information technology specified in section 11101(6) of title 40; and

(ii) the technical and functional performance criteria necessary to implement the requirements set forth in paragraph (1).

(B) Review and amendment

(3) Incorporation of standards

(4) Acquisition planning

(5) Exemption for national security systems

(6) Construction

(A) Equipment

In a case in which the Federal Government provides access to the public to information or data through electronic and information technology, nothing in this section shall be construed to require a Federal department or agency—

(i) to make equipment owned by the Federal Government available for access and use by individuals with disabilities covered by paragraph (1) at a location other than that where the electronic and information technology is provided to the public; or

(ii) to purchase equipment for access and use by individuals with disabilities covered by paragraph (1) at a location other than that where the electronic and information technology is provided to the public.

(B) Software and peripheral devices

(b) Technical assistance

(d) Reports

(1) Interim report

(2) Biennial reports

(e) Cooperation

(f) Enforcement

(1) General

(A) Complaints

(B) Application

(2) Administrative complaints

(3) Civil actions

(g) Application to other Federal laws

(Pub. L. 93–112, title V, § 508, as added Pub. L. 99–506, title VI, § 603(a), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1830; amended Pub. L. 100–630, title II, § 206(f), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3312; Pub. L. 102–569, title V, § 509(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4430; Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 408(b), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1203; Pub. L. 106–246, div. B, title II, § 2405, July 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 555.)

§ 794d–1. Reports on accessibility of electronic information to individuals with disabilities

(a)

(1) Not later than 100 days after December 29, 2022, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (in this section referred to as the “Director”), in coordination with the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board and the Administrator of General Services (in this section referred to as the “Administrator”), shall disseminate amended or updated criteria and instructions to any Federal department or agency (in this section referred to as an “agency”) covered by section 794d of this title for the evaluation required pursuant to paragraph (3)(B).

(2) Such criteria and instructions shall—

(A) include, at minimum, requirements that information technologies and digital services must–

(i) conform to the technical standards referenced in subsection (a)(2)(A) of such section 794d of this title, as determined by appropriate conformance testing; and

(ii) be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities as determined from consultation with individuals with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, tactile, and cognitive disabilities, or members of any disability organization; and

(B) provide guidance to agencies regarding the types and format of data and information to be submitted to the Director and the Administrator pursuant to paragraph (3), including how to submit such data and information, the metrics by which compliance will be assessed in the reports required in subsection (b), and any other directions necessary for agencies to demonstrate compliance with accessibility standards for electronic and information technology procured and in use within an agency, as required by such section 794d of this title.

(3) Not later than 225 days after December 29, 2022, the head of each agency shall—

(A) evaluate the extent to which the electronic and information technology of the agency are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities described in subsection (a)(1) of such section 794d of this title compared to the access to and use of the technology and services by individuals described in such section who are not individuals with disabilities;

(B) evaluate the electronic and information technology of the agency in accordance with the criteria and instructions provided in paragraph (1); and

(b)

(1) Not later than 1 year after December 29, 2022, and annually thereafter, the Administrator, in consultation with the Director, shall prepare and submit to the Committees on Appropriations and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committees on Appropriations and Oversight and Reform of the House of Representatives a report that shall include—

(A) a comprehensive assessment (including information identifying the metrics and data used) of compliance by each agency, and by the Federal Government generally, with the criteria and instructions disseminated under subsection (a)(1);

(B) a detailed description of the actions, activities, and other efforts made by the Administrator over the year preceding submission to support such compliance at agencies and any planned efforts in the coming year to improve compliance at agencies; and

(2) The Administrator shall ensure that the reports required under this subsection are made available on a public website and are maintained as an open Government data asset (as that term is defined in section 3502 of title 44).

(Pub. L. 117–328, div. E, title VII, § 752, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 4719.)

§ 794e. Protection and advocacy of individual rights

(a) Purpose and construction

(1) PurposeThe purpose of this section is to support a system in each State to protect the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities who—

(A) need services that are beyond the scope of services authorized to be provided by the client assistance program under section 732 of this title; and

(B)

(i) are ineligible for protection and advocacy programs under subtitle C of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 [42 U.S.C. 15041 et seq.] because the individuals do not have a developmental disability, as defined in section 102 of such Act [42 U.S.C. 15002]; and

(ii) are ineligible for services under the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 1

1 See References in Text note below.

(42 U.S.C. 10801 et seq.) because the individuals are not individuals with mental illness, as defined in section 102 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 10802).

(2) Construction

(b) Appropriations less than $5,500,000

(1) Reservations

(A) Technical assistance

(B) Grant for the eligible system serving the American Indian consortium

(2) Allotments

(3) Systems within States

(A) Population basis

(B) Minimums

(4) Systems within other jurisdictions

(A) In general

(B) Allotment

(5) Adjustment for inflation

(d) Proportional reduction

(e) Reallotment

(f) ApplicationIn order to receive assistance under this section, an eligible system shall submit an application to the Commissioner, at such time, in such form and manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Commissioner determines necessary to meet the requirements of this section, including assurances that the eligible system will—

(1) have in effect a system to protect and advocate the rights of individuals with disabilities;

(2) have the same general authorities, including the authority to access records and program income, as are set forth in subtitle C of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 [42 U.S.C. 15041 et seq.];

(3) have the authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies or approaches to ensure the protection of, and advocacy for, the rights of such individuals within the State or the American Indian consortium who are individuals described in subsection (a)(1);

(4) provide information on and make referrals to programs and services addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities in the State or the American Indian consortium;

(5) develop a statement of objectives and priorities on an annual basis, and provide to the public, including individuals with disabilities and, as appropriate, the individuals’ representatives, an opportunity to comment on the objectives and priorities established by, and activities of, the system including—

(A) the objectives and priorities for the activities of the system for each year and the rationale for the establishment of such objectives and priorities; and

(B) the coordination of programs provided through the system under this section with the advocacy programs of the client assistance program under section 732 of this title, the State long-term care ombudsman program established under the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 [42 U.S.C. 15001 et seq.], and the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 1 (42 U.S.C. 10801 et seq.);

(6) establish a grievance procedure for clients or prospective clients of the system to ensure that individuals with disabilities are afforded equal opportunity to access the services of the system; and

(7) provide assurances to the Commissioner that funds made available under this section will be used to supplement and not supplant the non-Federal funds that would otherwise be made available for the purpose for which Federal funds are provided.

(g) Carryover and direct payment

(1) Direct payment

(2) Carryover

(h) Limitation on disclosure requirements

(i) Administrative cost

(j) Delegation

(k) Report

(l) Authorization of appropriations

(m) DefinitionsAs used in this section:

(1) Eligible system

(2) American Indian consortium

(Pub. L. 93–112, title V, § 509, as added Pub. L. 102–569, title V, § 510(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4430; amended Pub. L. 103–73, title I, § 112(c), Aug. 11, 1993, 107 Stat. 727; Pub. L. 105–12, § 9(n), Apr. 30, 1997, 111 Stat. 28; Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 408(c), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1206; Pub. L. 105–394, title IV, § 402(c), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3662; Pub. L. 106–402, title IV, § 401(b)(3)(C), (D), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1738; Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 457, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1676.)

§ 794f. Establishment of standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment

(a) Standards

(b) Medical diagnostic equipment covered

(Pub. L. 93–112, title V, § 510, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title IV, § 4203, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 570.)

§ 794g. Limitations on use of subminimum wage

(a) In generalNo entity, including a contractor or subcontractor of the entity, which holds a special wage certificate as described in section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 214(c)) may compensate an individual with a disability who is age 24 or younger at a wage (referred to in this section as a “subminimum wage”) that is less than the Federal minimum wage unless 1 of the following conditions is met:

(1) The individual is currently employed, as of the effective date of this section, by an entity that holds a valid certificate pursuant to section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

(2) The individual, before beginning work that is compensated at a subminimum wage, has completed, and produces documentation indicating completion of, each of the following actions:

(A) The individual has received pre-employment transition services that are available to the individual under section 733 of this title, or transition services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) such as transition services available to the individual under section 614(d) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)).

(B) The individual has applied for vocational rehabilitation services under subchapter I, with the result that—

(i)(I) the individual has been found ineligible for such services pursuant to that subchapter and has documentation consistent with section 722(a)(5)(C) of this title regarding the determination of ineligibility; or(II)(aa) the individual has been determined to be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services;(bb) the individual has an individualized plan for employment under section 722 of this title;(cc) the individual has been working toward an employment outcome specified in such individualized plan for employment, with appropriate supports and services, including supported employment services, for a reasonable period of time without success; and(dd) the individual’s vocational rehabilitation case is closed; and

(ii)(I) the individual has been provided career counseling, and information and referrals to Federal and State programs and other resources in the individual’s geographic area that offer employment-related services and supports designed to enable the individual to explore, discover, experience, and attain competitive integrated employment; and(II) such counseling and information and referrals are not for employment compensated at a subminimum wage provided by an entity described in this subsection, and such employment-related services are not compensated at a subminimum wage and do not directly result in employment compensated at a subminimum wage provided by an entity described in this subsection.

(b) Construction

(1) RuleNothing in this section shall be construed to—

(A) change the purpose of this chapter described in section 701(b)(2) of this title, to empower individuals with disabilities to maximize opportunities for competitive integrated employment; or

(B) preference employment compensated at a subminimum wage as an acceptable vocational rehabilitation strategy or successful employment outcome, as defined in section 705(11) of this title.

(2) Contracts

(3) Voidability

(1) In generalThe entity described in subsection (a) may not continue to employ an individual, regardless of age, at a subminimum wage unless, after the individual begins work at that wage, at the intervals described in paragraph (2), the individual (with, in an appropriate case, the individual’s parent or guardian)—

(A) is provided by the designated State unit career counseling, and information and referrals described in subsection (a)(2)(B)(ii), delivered in a manner that facilitates independent decisionmaking and informed choice, as the individual makes decisions regarding employment and career advancement; and

(B) is informed by the employer of self-advocacy, self-determination, and peer mentoring training opportunities available in the individual’s geographic area, provided by an entity that does not have any financial interest in the individual’s employment outcome, under applicable Federal and State programs or other sources.

(2) Timing

(3) Small business exception

(d) Documentation

(1) In general

(2) Documentation processSuch process shall require that—

(A) in the case of a student with a disability, for documentation of actions described in subsection (a)(2)(A)—

(i) if such a student with a disability receives and completes each category of required activities in section 733(b) of this title, such completion of services shall be documented by the designated State unit in a manner consistent with this section;

(ii) if such a student with a disability receives and completes any transition services available for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.], including those provided under section 614(d)(1)(A)(i)(VIII) (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(1)(A)(i)(VIII)), such completion of services shall be documented by the appropriate school official responsible for the provision of such transition services, in a manner consistent with this section; and

(iii) the designated State unit shall provide the final documentation, in a form and manner consistent with this section, of the completion of pre-employment transition services as described in clause (i), or transition services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as described in clause (ii), to the student with a disability within a reasonable period of time following the completion; and

(B) when an individual has completed the actions described in subsection (a)(2)(B), the designated State unit shall provide the individual a document indicating such completion, in a manner consistent with this section, within a reasonable time period following the completion of the actions described in this subparagraph.

(e) Verification

(1) Before employment

(2) During employment

(A) In general

(B) Review of documentation

(f) Federal minimum wage

(Pub. L. 93–112, title V, § 511, as added Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 458(a), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1676; amended Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(mmm)(4)(A), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2188.)