U.S. Department of Health and Human Services․Office for Civil Rights․Washington, D.C. 20201․(202) 619-0403
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT
What Is Section 504?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a national law that protects qualified individuals from
discrimination based on their disability. The nondiscrimination requirements of the law apply 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). These organizations and employers include 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?
Section 504 protects qualified individuals with disabilities. Under this law, individuals with disabilities are
defined as persons with a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life
activities. People who have a history of, or 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. Some
examples of impairments which may substantially limit major life activities, even with the help of medication or
aids/devices, are: AIDS, alcoholism, blindness or visual impairment, cancer, deafness or hearing impairment,
diabetes, drug addiction, heart disease, and mental illness.
In addition to meeting the above definition, for purposes of receiving services, education or training, qualified
individuals with disabilities are persons who meet normal and essential eligibility requirements.
For purposes of employment, qualified individuals with disabilities are persons who, with reasonable
accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job for which they have applied or have been hired
to perform. (Complaints alleging employment discrimination on the basis of disability against a single
individual will be referred to the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for processing.)
Reasonable accommodation means an employer is required to take reasonable steps to accommodate your
disability unless it would cause the employer undue hardship.
Prohibited Discriminatory Acts in Health Care and Human Services Settings
Section 504 prohibitions 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:
X Deny qualified individuals the opportunity to participate in or benefit from federally funded programs,
services, or other benefits.
X Deny access to programs, services, benefits or opportunities to participate as a result of physical barriers.
X Deny employment opportunities, including hiring, promotion, training, and fringe benefits, for which
they are otherwise entitled or qualified....
These and other prohibitions against discrimination based on disability can be found in the DHHS Section 504
regulation at 45 CFR Part 84.
For information on how to file a complaint of discrimination, or to obtain information of a civil rights nature,
please contact us. OCR employees will make every effort to provide prompt service.
Hotlines: 1-800-368-1019 (Voice) 1-800-537-7697 (TDD)
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr
Your Rights Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
(H-8/June 2000 – revised June 2006 - English)
