The Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors. The standards for determining employment discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act are the same as those used in title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Section 501
Section 501 outlines the role federal agencies play in advancing equal opportunity for applicants and employees with disabilities are during recruitment, hiring, and employment; and states that, “absent undue hardship, agencies must provide reasonable accommodation for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified individual with a disability.”
Section 501 requires federal agencies to have reasonable accommodation procedures in place. It also requires agencies to make sure that key decision-makers know how to access the resources necessary to pay for reasonable accommodations that are legally required.
Section 504
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.
Section 508
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.
USC Title 10
§1151. Retention of assistive technology and services provided before separation
(a) Authority.-A member of the armed forces who is provided an assistive technology or assistive technology device for a severe or debilitating illness or injury incurred or aggravated by such member while on active duty may, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, be authorized to retain such assistive technology or assistive technology device upon the separation of the member from active service.
(b) Definitions.-In this section, the terms "assistive technology" and "assistive technology device" have the meaning given those terms in section 3 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3002).
§1582. Assistive technology, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services
(a) Authority.-The Secretary of Defense may provide assistive technology, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services to the following:
(1) Department of Defense employees with disabilities.
(2) Organizations within the Department that have requirements to make programs or facilities accessible to, and usable by, persons with disabilities.
Telecommunications Act
Section 255 and Section 251(a)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, require manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and providers of telecommunications services to ensure that such equipment and services are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, if readily achievable. These amendments ensure that people with disabilities will have access to a broad range of products and services such as telephones, cell phones, pagers, call-waiting, and operator services, that were often inaccessible to many users with disabilities.
Presidential Orders
Executive Order 13518
Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government
Executive Order 13164
Requiring Federal Agencies To Establish Procedures To Facilitate the Provision of Reasonable Accommodation