Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/03/06/03-5142/enforcement-of-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-in-department-of-homeland-security
Timestamp: 2017-08-17 22:43:00
Document Index: 461190126

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 15', '§\u200915', '§\u200915', '§\u200915', '§\u200915', '§\u200915', '§\u200915', '§\u200915', '§\u200915']

Federal Register :: Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Department of Homeland Security Programs or Activities
A Rule by the Homeland Security Department on 03/06/2003
68 FR 10885
10885-10890 (6 pages)
6 CFR 15
1601-AA05
03-5142
PART 15—ENFORCEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/03-5142 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/03-5142
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 10886
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 qualified individual with a disability, and establishes a complaint mechanism for resolving allegations of discrimination.
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 technically 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).
Program accessibility; discrimination prohibited.
Program accessibility; new construction and alterations.
Authority: Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135 (6 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); 5 U.S.C. 301; 29 U.S.C. 794.
(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 Start Printed Page 10887include 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 hearing aids, telecommunications devices for deaf persons (TTYs), interpreters, notetakers, written materials and other similar services and devices.
§ 15.30
(iii) Provide a qualified individual with a disability with an aid, benefit, or service that is not as effective in Start Printed Page 10888affording equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit, or to reach the same level of achievement as that provided to others;
§ 15.40
§ 15.49
Except as otherwise provided in § 15.50, no qualified individual with a disability shall, because the Department's facilities are inaccessible to or unusable by individuals with a disability, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by the Department.
§ 15.50
(b) Methods. The Department may comply with the requirements of this section through such means as redesign of equipment, reassignment of services to accessible buildings, assignment of aides to beneficiaries, home visits, delivery of services at alternate accessible sites, alteration of existing facilities and construction of new facilities, use of accessible rolling stock, or any other methods that result in making its programs or activities readily accessible to and usable by individuals with a disability. The Department, in making alterations to existing buildings, shall meet accessibility requirements to the extent required by the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), and any regulations implementing it. In choosing among available methods for meeting the requirements of this section, the Start Printed Page 10889Department shall give priority to those methods that offer programs and activities to qualified individuals with a disability in the most integrated setting appropriate.
§ 15.51
§ 15.60
§ 15.70
(3) All complete complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged act of discrimination. The Department may extend this time period for good cause.Start Printed Page 10890
[FR Doc. 03-5142 Filed 3-5-03; 8:45 am]