Various federal laws enforced by other agencies address accessibility and protect the rights of people with disabilities in air travel, buildings and facilities, employment, housing, information and communication technology, programs and services, transportation, and voting. Provided here is a quick guide to these laws and relevant contact information.
- Air Travel
- Buildings and Facilities
- Employment
- Housing
- Information and Communication Technology
- Programs and Services
- Transportation
- Voting
Air Travel
Air Carrier Access Act
The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination in air transportation by domestic and foreign air carriers against qualified individuals with physical or mental impairments. For further information, contact the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division:
Phone: 202-366-2220 (v) or 202-366-0511 (TTY) Web: transportation.gov/airconsumer
Airport Security and Passenger Screening Procedures
In light of 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. For further information, contact TSA:
Phone: 855-787-2227 - Federal Relay 711
E-mail: TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov
Web: tsa.gov/travel
Buildings and Facilities
State and Local Governments and the Private Sector
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that state and local government facilities, places of public accommodation (such as stores, restaurants, and other facilities open to the public), and commercial facilities be accessible to people with disabilities. The Department of Justice (DOJ) enforces this requirement according to accessibility standards that are based on guidelines issued by the Access Board. For further information, contact the Disability Rights Section in DOJ’s Civil Rights Division:
Phone: 800-514-0301 (v) or 800-514-0383 (TTY)
Web: justice.gov/crt/disability-rights-section
To file an ADA complaint, visit DOJ’s Civil Rights Reporting Portal
Federally Funded Facilities
See information on the ABA.
Employment
Private Sector
Title I of the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment and includes provisions related to reasonable accommodations, qualification standards, and other labor management issues. For further information, contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):
Phone: 800-669-4000 (v) or 800-669-6820 (TTY)
Videophone: 844-234-5122
E-mail: info@eeoc.gov
Web: eeoc.gov/disability-discrimination
Federal Contractors
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities by federal government contractors and subcontractors with contracts of more than $10,000. For further information, contact the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs:
Phone: 800-397-6251 (v) or 877-889-5627 (TTY)
Web: dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/section-503
Federal Employment
Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act requires affirmative action and nondiscrimination in employment by federal agencies of the executive branch. To obtain more information or to file a complaint, employees should contact their agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office. Additional information is available from EEOC:
Web: eeoc.gov/federal-sector/overview-federal-sector-eeo-complaint-process
Housing
The Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act 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. For further information, contact the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the Department of Housing and Urban Development:
Phone: 800-669-9777 (v) or 800-927-9275 (TTY)
Web: hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview
Public Housing
The ADA prohibits discrimination in public housing facilities that are owned or operated by state and local governments. For further information, contact DOJ’s Disability Rights Section:
Phone: 800-514-0301 (v) or 800-514-0383 (TTY)
Web: justice.gov/crt/disability-rights-section
To file an ADA complaint, visit DOJ’s Civil Rights Reporting Portal
Federally Funded Housing
Housing that is designed, built, altered, or leased with federal funds may be subject to the ABA.
Information and Communication Technology
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires access to information and communication technology (ICT) developed, procured, maintained, or used by federal agencies Access to ICT is addressed by Access Board standards and guidelines issued under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Communications Act. For technical assistance on the Section 508 and Section 255 requirements, contact:
U.S. Access Board
Phone: 202-272-0080 (v/tty)
E-mail: 508@access-board.gov
Web: access-board.gov/ict/
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
E-mail: section.508@gsa.gov
Web: Section508.gov
Note: Each federal agency is responsible for enforcing Section 508 with respect to its own ICT development, procurement, maintenance, and use. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces Section 255. For further information on Section 255, contact the FCC’s Disability Rights Office:
Phone: 202-418-2517 (v) or 888-835-5322 (TTY)
Videophone: 844-432-2275
E-mail: dro@fcc.gov
Web: fcc.gov/accessibility
Programs and Services
State or Local Governments and Private Sector
Title II of the ADA requires access for individuals with disabilities 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 DOJ’s Disability Rights Section:
Phone: 800-514-0301 (v) or 800-514-0383 (TTY)
Web: justice.gov/crt/disability-rights-section
Note: For programs or services related to public transportation, see Transportation below.
Federally Funded Programs and Services
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 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. See our Section 504 Contact List.
Transportation
Title II of the ADA addresses services and activities of state and local governments, including actions applicable to public transportation provided by public entities, while Title III covers transportation facilities and vehicles operated by private companies. These transportation provisions are intended to improve access to vehicles, transit facilities, and paratransit. For further information, contact the Federal Transit Administration at the Department of Transportation:
Phone: 888-446-4511
Web: transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights-ada/civil-rightsada
Voting
Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act
The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 generally requires polling places across the United States to be physically accessible to people with disabilities for federal elections. For further information, contact the Voting Section in DOJ’s Civil Rights Division:
Phone: 800-253-3931 (v/TTY)
Web: justice.gov/crt/voting-section
Help America Vote Act
The Help America Vote Act 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. For further information, contact the Election Assistance Commission:
Phone: 866-747-1471
Web: eac.gov