Source: http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/DHSFR/HTML/DHSFR/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-29/0-0-0-1014/0-0-0-1106.html
Timestamp: 2013-05-26 03:51:03
Document Index: 314756732

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'ART 15', '§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 15']

Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Department of Homeland Security Programs or Activities [68 FR 10886] [DHS 5-03]
\ dhsfr \ DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY - FEDERAL REGISTER PUBLICATIONS \ DHS Federal Register Publications 2003 \ FEDERAL REGISTER INTERIM REGULATIONS - 2003 \ Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Department of Homeland Security Programs or Activities [68 FR 10886] [DHS 5-03]
DHS 5-03
68 FR 10886
6 CFR Part 15
RIN 1601-AA05
Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Department of Homeland Security Programs or Activities
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Homeland Security.
SUMMARY: This interim final rule establishes for the Department of Homeland Security the necessary procedures for the enforcement of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, as it applies to programs or activities conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. It sets forth standards for what constitutes discrimination on the basis of a mental or physical disability, provides a definition for an individual with a disability and a qualifi
ed individual with a disability, and establishes a complaint mechanism for resolving allegations of discrimination.
This interim final rule is effective April 7, 2003. Written comments may be submitted by April 7, 2003.
Robert Coyle, (202) 282-8410, not a toll free call.
This interim final rule provides for the enforcement of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794), as it applies to programs and activities conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. It is an adaptation of a prototype prepared by the Department of Justice under Executive Order 12250 (45 FR 72995, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 298) and distributed to Executive agencies.
Because the DHS came into existence on January 24, 2003, it is necessary to promptly establish procedures to facilitate the interaction of the public with the Department. Furthermore, this interim final rule parallels the existing operational regulations of other cabinet-level agencies to effectuate the provisions of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Similar regulations were applicable to components being transferred to DHS from other cabinet-level agencies and the regulations are only being te
chnically adapted for DHS, imposing no substantive requirement that is different from the existing regulations of these cabinet-level agencies. Accordingly, the Department has determined that notice and public procedure are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). For the same reasons, the Department has determined that this interim rule should be issued without a delayed effective date pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
This regulation has been reviewed and approved by the Attorney General pursuant to Executive Order 12250 and has also been reviewed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission pursuant to Executive Order 12067.
Copies of this regulation have been submitted to the appropriate authorizing committees of Congress, and this regulation will take effect no earlier than the thirtieth day after the date on which this regulation is so submitted to such committees (See 29 U.S.C. 794.)
List of Subjects in 6 CFR Part 15
Civil rights, Individuals with disabilities, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons set forth above, chapter I of 6 CFR is amended by adding part 15 to read as follows:
PART 15--ENFORCEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
15.10 Self-evaluation.
15.11 Notice.
15.30 General prohibitions against discrimination.
15.40 Employment.
15.49 Program accessibility; discrimination prohibited.
15.50 Program accessibility; existing facilities.
15.51 Program accessibility; new construction and alterations.
15.60 Communications.15.70 Compliance procedures.
Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135 (6 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); 5 U.S.C. 301; 29 U.S.C. 794.
§ 15.1 Purpose.
The purpose of this part is to effectuate section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”), as amended by section 119 of the Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs or activities conducted by Executive agencies. The provisions established by this part shall be effective for all components of the Department, including all Department components that are transferred to the Depar
tment, except to the extent that a Department component already has existing section 504 regulations.
§ 15.2 Application.
(a) Auxiliary aids
means services or devices that enable persons with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills to have an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, programs or activities conducted by the Department. For example, auxiliary aids useful for persons with impaired vision include readers, materials in Braille, audio recordings and other similar services and devices. Auxiliary aids useful for persons with impaired hearing include telephone handset amplifiers, telephones compatible with hea
ring aids, telecommunications devices for deaf persons (TTYs), interpreters, notetakers, written materials and other similar services and devices.
(b) Complete complaint
means a written statement that contains the complainant's name and address, and describes the Department's alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Department of the nature and date of the alleged violation of section 504. It shall be signed by the complainant or by someone authorized to do so on his or her behalf. Complaints filed on behalf of classes of individuals with disabilities shall also identify (where possible) the alleged victims of discrimination.
means all or any portion of a building, structure, equipment, road, walk, parking lot, rolling stock, or other conveyance, or other real or personal property.
(d) Individual with a disability
means any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the individual's major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. For purposes of this definition:
(e) Qualified individual with a disability
(f) Section 504
means section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), as amended. As used in this part, section 504 applies only to programs or activities conducted by Executive agencies and not to federally assisted programs.
§ 15.10 Self-evaluation.
§ 15.11 Notice.
§ 15.40 Employment.
§ 15.49 Program accessibility; discrimination prohibited.
(e) In those circumstances where Department personnel believe that the proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the Department has the burden of proving that compliance with this section would result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the Secretary of Homeland Security (or his or her designee) after considering all resources available for
use in the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion. If an action required to comply with this section would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the Department shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with a disability receive the benefits and services of the progr
am or activity.
§ 15.70 Compliance procedures.