what does section 503 of the 1973 rehabilitation act provide for course hero

by Charlene Bergstrom 7 min read

Section 503 Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a law that prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities and requires employers take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these individuals.

In addition to Section 508, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has several other sections: Section 501 and 505 - Prohibits federal employers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. Section 503 - Prohibits employment discrimination based on disability by federal contractors or subcontractors.

Full Answer

What is Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

Section 503. Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a law that prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities and requires employers take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these individuals. Find out more information about Section 503 in the links below or visit a list …

What is a section 503 affirmative action program?

The Section 503 regulations set forth the standards for compliance with section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 793), which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires Government contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with …

Where can I find information about Section 503 regulations?

In terms of education , the Rehabilitation Act requires public schools to provide free , up - to - standard public education for disabled students . ... Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities and requires employers to take ...

Does OFCCP require self-identification under Section 503?

Oct 31, 2019 · Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities by federal contractors and subcontractors. Additionally, it requires these employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain individuals with disabilities.

What is Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a law that prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities and requires employers take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these individuals.

What is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and why is it important?

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first legislation to address the notion of equal access for individuals with disabilities through the removal of architectural, employment, and transportation barriers. It also created rights of persons with disabilities through affirmative action programs.Sep 17, 2018

Who does the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protect?

people with disabilitiesSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act created and extended civil rights to people with disabilities. Section 504 has also provided opportunities for children and adults with disabilities in education, employment and various other settings.

What is Section 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibit discrimination based on mental and physical disability and require agencies to reasonably accommodate the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees or applicants with disabilities.

What did the Rehabilitation Act do?

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.Feb 24, 2020

What is the main purpose of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act?

Section 508 and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are often confused with each other. Section 508 requires that the federal government procure, create, use and maintain ICT that is accessible to people with disabilities, regardless of whether or not they work for the federal government.Jan 18, 2022

What is the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that any entity receiving federal financial assistance must ensure that persons with disabilities are not discriminated against in any and all aspects of employment, or denied access to the goods or services that these federal fund recipients provide.

What is the purpose of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law that bans disability discrimination. It's also the law that provides 504 plans. Under Section 504, students with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodations.

What does section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act deal with?

employment discrimination against individuals with disabilitiesSection 501 prohibits employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the federal sector.

What is Section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

The 1973 Rehabilitation Act prohibited discrimination based on disability on a national basis for all Americans, covering employment, education, removal of architectural barriers, and civil rights for people with disabilities.

What is Section 7 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act?

The major concern is with section 7(B)(i), cited above, which asserts that a handicapped individual "has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person's major life activities." Federal regulations further define which persons are covered by this language.

What is the difference between ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 covers federal contractors and programs receiving federal funds. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination in employment, public services, public accommodations and telecommunications.

What is Section 503?

The Section 503 regulations set forth the standards for compliance with section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 793) , which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires Government contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities. [60.741.1]

What is the 503 subpart C?

The following Section 503 Subpart C, Affirmative Action Program Checklist is organized to assist federal contractors with 50 or more employees and a contract of $50,000 or more to benchmark their current activities against Section 503, Subpart C Affirmative Action Program requirements. By comparing their current activities against the regulatory requirements, federal contractors can develop an Affirmative Action Program that ensures equal employment opportunity and fosters employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

What is the maximum amount of a 503 contract?

The Section 503 regulations apply to all government contracts and subcontracts in excess of $15,000 for the purchase, sale or use of personal property or nonpersonal services (including construction, but not federally assisted construction). [60-741.1(b)]

What is affirmative action program?

An affirmative action program is a management tool designed to ensure equal employment opportunity and foster employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. An affirmative action program institutionalizes the contractor's commitment to equality in every aspect of employment and is more than a paperwork exercise. An affirmative action program is dynamic in nature and includes measurable objectives, quantitative analyses, and internal auditing and reporting systems that measure the contractor's progress toward achieving equal employment opportunity for individuals with disabilities.

What is Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 793. (http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/29/793.html) , is administered by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).

What is covered by Section 503?

This obligation covers the full range of employment and personnel practices, such as recruitment, hiring, rates of pay, upgrading, and selection for training . Covered employers with Federal contracts or subcontracts must also take affirmative steps to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities. All covered contractors must also include a specific equal opportunity clause in each of their nonexempt subcontracts. The regulations provide the required language for this clause.

What is a 503 disability?

Under Section 503 and its implementing regulations, an "individual with a disability" means a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

What is the AAP requirement for 503?

Under Section 503, each employer that has both a Federal contract or subcontract of $50,000 or more, and 50 or more employees, must prepare, implement, and maintain a written affirmative action program (AAP) covering each of its establishments.

What is an affirmative action program?

Under Section 503, each employer that has both a Federal contract or subcontract of $50,000 or more, and 50 or more employees, must prepare, implement, and annually update a written affirmative action program (AAP) covering each of its establishments.

How long do you have to keep personnel records?

Personnel files. Federal contractors and subcontractors with fewer than 150 employees or a contract of less than $150,000 must keep records for one year from the date of the making of the personnel record or personnel action, whichever occurs later.

Who is required to post EEO?

Contractors and subcontractors who hold a single Federal contract or subcontract in excess of $10,000 are required to post the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) notice, EEO is the Law poster (PDF) and supplement. Federal contractors and subcontractors who (1) hold government bills of lading; (2) serve as a depository of Federal funds in any amount; or (3) act as issuing and paying agents for U.S. savings bonds and notes must also post the EEO is the Law poster and supplement.

When did Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 change?

A lot of hype surrounded the revisions to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 when the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) implemented the changes in 2014. Some said it was a “game changer” for increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to get back into and remain in the workforce.

What is the 503 Act?

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities by federal contractors and subcontractors. Additionally, it requires these employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain individuals with disabilities.

How to self-identify for affirmative action?

If the employer invites applicants to voluntarily self-identify in connection with providing affirmative action, the employer must do the following: 1 state clearly on any written questionnaire, or state clearly orally (if no written questionnaire is used), that the information requested is used solely in connection with its affirmative action obligations or efforts; and 2 state clearly that the information is being requested on a voluntary basis, that it will be kept confidential in accordance with the ADA, that refusal to provide it will not subject the applicant to any adverse treatment, and that it will be used only in accordance with the ADA.

Do you have to disclose disability?

Some individuals don’t feel comfortable disclosing disability to a potential employer, and that’s okay. The only instances in which you would have to disclose disability is when you’re requesting a reasonable accommodation.

Can an employer invite an applicant to self-identify as disabled?

Now with Section 503, the employer can invite applicants to voluntarily self-identify as having a disability. The 503 Final Rule requires that contractors offer applicants the opportunity to self-identify as individuals with disabilities at both the pre- and post-offer stages of the application process. However, contractors MUST use language ...

How much of a contractor self-identifies?

Because self-identification is voluntary, many contractors find that only a very small portion of their applicants and employees choose to self-identify (typically 3% to 10%, although the range varies dramatically with geographic locations within the U.S., the company in question and the type of language the company uses in its recruiting advertisements). Without complete self-identification information, contractors will not only have difficulty assessing their progress towards achieving their diversity and inclusion goals (“Good Faith Efforts” pursuant to EO 11246 (although the OFCCP has repeatedly acknowledged “Good Faith Efforts” should be “removed from a contractor’s vocabulary”) and “Data Metrics” pursuant to VEVRAA and Section 503), but the statistical “Disparity Analyses” ( see 41 CFR section 60-2.17 (b)) contractors are required to conduct at least once a year will not be a true reflection of the demographic makeup of the company’s applicant pool and workforce, particularly in instances where visual observation may not be revealing (i.e., veterans and disabilities).

How to self identify for a disability?

Individuals with disabilities may be the least likely to self-identify for fear they may be stigmatized or treated differently. To address this concern, some contractors have implemented Section 503 self-identification campaigns to encourage employees with disabilities to self-identify. Campaign efforts might include: 1 Publishing FAQs for employees to explain in detail why the information is collected and how it is used 2 Assuring employees that they do not have to disclose details or provide medical documentation regarding their disability when completing the self-identification form 3 Creating a catchy slogan 4 Recruiting respected employees to be the “face” of the campaign in magazines and company photos/website images 5 Providing information about the Americans with Disabilities Act’s definition of “disability” (many employees are not aware of how expansive the definition is and, therefore, may not consider themselves to be disabled) 6 Providing disability awareness and inclusion training to managers and supervisors 7 Ensuring your organization’s culture is a welcoming environment for individuals with disabilities so they will feel comfortable self-identifying as an individual with a disability 8 Posting videos on the company’s website and/or intranet encouraging self-identification. OFCCP has created a “Disability Inclusion Starts With You” video HERE employers may use instead of creating their own.

How long do you have to keep a contractor's employment records?

Pursuant to 41 CFR 60-1.12 (a), the contractor must preserve any personnel or employment record the contractor “made or kept” (including self-identification forms) for a period of not less than two years from the date of the making of the record or the personnel action involved, whichever occurs later. However, if the contractor has fewer than 150 employees or does not have a government contract of at least $150,000, the minimum record retention period shall be one year from the date of the making of the record or the personnel action involved, whichever occurs later.

Who Is Covered

  • Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended,29 U.S.C. 793(http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/29/793.html), is administered by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). Section 503 requires employers with Federal contracts or subcontracts that exceed $15,000, and contracts or subcontracts for indefinite quantities (un...
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Basic Provisions/Requirements

  • Under Section 503 and its implementing regulations, covered employers with Federal contracts or subcontracts must not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of disability. This obligation covers the full range of employment and personnel practices, such as recruitment, hiring, rates of pay, upgrading, and selection for training. Covered employers with Federal contra…
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Employee Rights

  • Employees of and applicants for employment with a covered Federal contractor or subcontractor have the right to file a complaint with OFCCP if they believe that a Federal contractor or subcontractor has discriminated against them on the basis of a disability. Anyone may call OFCCP with a question about interpreting the regulations, filing a complaint, or any other related …
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Recordkeeping, Reporting, Notices and Posters

  • Contractors and subcontractors who hold a single Federal contract or subcontract in excess of $10,000 are required to post the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) notice, EEO is the Law poster (PDF) and supplement. Federal contractors and subcontractors who (1) hold government bills of lading; (2) serve as a depository of Federal funds in any amount; or (3) act as issuing an…
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Penalties/Sanctions

  • OFCCP conducts compliance evaluations and complaint investigations assessing whether Federal contractors and subcontractors are in compliance with Section 503. If a violation is found, OFCCP may ask the Federal contractor or subcontractor to enter into conciliation negotiations. If conciliation efforts succeed, the contractor will enter into a binding conciliation agreement with …
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Relation to State, Local, and Other Federal Laws

  • Section 107(b) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) required agencies with enforcement responsibilities under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (e.g., OFCCP) and under Title I of the ADA (i.e., theEqual Employment Opportunity Commission(http://www.eeoc.gov/)) to develop procedural regulations to ensure that complaints filed under these laws are addressed i…
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Compliance Assistance Available

  • The Department of Labor provides employers, workers, and others with clear and easy-to-access information and assistance on how to comply with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Among the many resources available are: 1. elaws Federal Contractor Compliance Advisor- Helps Federal contractors and subcontractors answer basic questions about coverage and complianc…
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Dol Contacts

  • Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)(https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/) E-mail: OFCCP-Public@dol.gov Tel: 1-866-4USADOL (1-866-487-2365) or 1-800-397-6251; TTY: 1-877-889-5627 Table of Contents
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