• What is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?
• It is a national law that protects individuals from discrimination based on their disability.
• Who does it apply to?
• The law applies to employers and organizations that receive financial assistance from any Federal department or agency, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This includes many hospitals, nursing homes, mental health centers and human service programs.
• Section 504 forbids organizations and employers 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.
• Who Is Protected from Discrimination?
• Individuals with Disabilities defined as:
• Persons with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
• A person who has a record of such an impairment.
• People 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: caring for one's self, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, performing manual tasks, and learning.
• What does Section 504 prohibit?
• Against discrimination apply to service availability, accessibility, delivery, employment, and the administrative activities and responsibilities of organizations receiving Federal financial assistance.
• A recipient of Federal financial assistance may not, on the basis of disability:
• Deny qualified individuals the opportunity to participate in or benefit from federally funded programs, services, or other benefits.
• Deny access to programs, services, benefits or opportunities to participate as a result of physical barriers.
• Deny employment opportunities, including hiring, promotion, training, and fringe benefits, for which they are otherwise entitled or qualified.

Key Legislation
| IDEA | Section 504 | ADA | Section 508

Related Assistive Devices
| Low Vision and Blindness | Deafness and Hard of Hearing | Physical Disabilities and Hardware Alternatives |