National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity

www.nasa.gov

technology

Comparable Access for Individuals with Disabilities

to NASA Information and Electronic Technology:

Obtaining Further Information on 

Section 508

For further information and more detailed guidance, 

you may go to http://www.section508.gov.

For NASA Headquarters and Center contact 

information, please visit http://odeo.hq.nasa.gov/

install.html.

You may also send a discrimination 

complaint to any of the NASA 

Component Facilities. 

Addresses may be found at http://odeo.hq.nasa.

gov/install.html.

Section 508
What is the purpose of this

information?

The purpose of this pamphlet is to convey NASA 

procedures regarding complaints of discrimination 

filed pursuant to section 508 of the Rehabilitation 

Act of 1973, as amended.1

What does the law require?

Section 508 requires all Federal agencies to make 

electronic and information technology developed, 

procured, maintained, or used by the agencies 

accessible to Federal employees and members of 

the public with disabilities, unless to do so would 

impose an undue burden. Section 508 covers all 

types of electronic and information technology in 

the Federal sector. Section 508 does allow for some 

exceptions, such as for national security systems.

Federal agencies must be in compliance with 

standards issued by the Architectural and 

Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 

(“Access Board”). The Access Board issued these 

standards on December 21, 2000. The standards 

became effective on June 21, 2001, the date for 

agency compliance.2

 

Who may file a complaint

under the law?

The law authorizes individuals with disabilities to 

file complaints with any agency alleged to be in 

noncompliance with section 508 with respect to 

electronic and information technology procured on 

or after June 21, 2001.

1. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, 

enacted as title IV of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Pub. 

L. No. 105-220, 112 Stat. 936, 1203 (Aug. 7, 1998), codified at 

29 U.S.C. § 794d. 

2. 65 FR 80500 (December 21, 2000) (codified at 36 CFR Part 1194).

Section 508

To whom do the law’s

requirements apply?

Section 508 applies to all Federal departments and 

agencies. Section 508 does not apply directly to the 

private sector, nor does it impose requirements on 

recipients of Federal financial assistance. 

Who is covered under the law?

Section 508 covers individuals with disabilities who 

are Federal employees or applicants for Federal 

employment. The law also covers members of the 

public seeking information or services from any 

Federal department or agency.

How will NASA process

section 508 complaints from

NASA employees or applicants

for employment?

Section 508 complaints from NASA employees or 

from applicants for employment with NASA will be 

processed pursuant to U.S. Equal Employment 

Opportunity Commission regulations at 29 CFR

Part 1614.

How will NASA process section 

508 complaints from members of 

the public?

Members of the public who contact NASA directly to 

file a complaint related to section 508 must provide 

the following information:

• Complainant’s name, address, and contact 

information;

• The basis of the complaint;

• A detailed description of the alleged conduct 

sufficient to perform an investigation of the 

complaint, including dates, the identification of 

the allegedly injured party, and the person or 

institution alleged to have discriminated; and

• The complainant’s signature or the signature 

of someone authorized to sign on the 

complainant’s behalf.

Section 508 complaints from members of the public 

shall have the date documented on the complaint 

and shall be forwarded to Office of Diversity and 

Equal Opportunity (ODEO) for processing within 

five days of complaint receipt. Complaints shall 

be forwarded to: NASA Headquarters, Office of 

Diversity and Equal Opportunity, 300 E St. SW, 

Suite 4W31, Washington, DC 20546. 

What forms of relief are available 

to complainants under the law?

Injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees (but not 

compensatory or punitive damages) are available 

if the complainant prevails in an action against the 

Agency. In addition, individuals with disabilities 

may file civil actions in U.S. District Court alleging 

noncompliance with section 508. 

Where To Send Your Complaint 

You may send a discrimination complaint letter to 

the NASA Agency Diversity and EO Office at

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

(NASA) Headquarters

Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity

300 E Street SW

Suite 4W39

Washington, DC 20546

202-358-2167

TDD: 202-358-3748

Fax: 202-358-3336

Complaints Hotline: 866-654-1440

E-mail: Section508Complaint@NASA.gov