DHS is committed to strengthening and supporting full inclusion and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in its programs and activities, through enforcement and compliance with requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, including Section 504 of the Act which states: 

"No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States...shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance or under any program or activity conducted by any Executive agency..." 29 U.S.C. § 794

Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of The Rehabilitation Act: Providing Equal Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities in DHS Programs and Activities

September 26, 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Rehabilitation Act. To commemorate the anniversary, DHS has developed a series of products that are underscore the Department's commitment to full inclusion and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in DHS programs and activities.

• DHS Commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act, Blog by Acting Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer Tamara Kessler
• DHS Management Directive on Nondiscrimination for Individuals with Disabilities in DHS-Conducted Programs and Activities
• Rehabilitation Act 40th Anniversary Video
• Guide to Interacting with People Who Have Disabilities

Section 504 at Work in DHS

DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

• About the Antidiscrimination Group
• The DHS Disability Access Working Group was established to further the Department's commitment to the principles of the Rehabilitation Act, and full inclusion and equal access for individuals with disabilities in DHS programs and activities. Through this Working Group, Components work together to share strategies for effective communication, physical accessibility, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities; and then coordinate the use of these approaches across the Department.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

• Office of Disability Integration and Coordination
• Office of Equal Rights, Civil Rights Program 

Transportation Security Administration

• TSA Traveler Information, Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Additional Resources

• U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section
• U.S. Access Board
• National Council on Disability
• Disability.gov

Legal Authorities

• Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
• Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended
• Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended
• Title VI, CFR part 15, "Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of Homeland Security
• Delegation 19003, "Delegation to the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties for Matters Involving Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, including Equal Employment Opportunity and Workplace Diversity"