Source: http://www.thefederalregister.com/d.p/2006-05-12-E6-7280
Timestamp: 2013-05-20 14:46:09
Document Index: 447890777

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 7114', 'art 3944', 'art 6726', 'art 140', 'art 5250', 'art 1739', 'art 30206', 'art 514', 'art 9740', 'art 180', 'art 1624', 'art 1624', 'art 1624', 'art 1624', 'art 1618', 'art 1618', 'art 1624', 'ART 1624', 'art 1620']

Prohibition against discrimination on the basis of disability, Daily Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices of the Federal Government
14 CFR Part 7114 CFR Part 3944 CFR Part 6726 CFR Part 140 CFR Part 5250 CFR Part 1739 CFR Part 30206 CFR Part 514 CFR Part 9740 CFR Part 180	Federal Register: May 12, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 92)
DOCID: FR Doc E6-7280
CFR Citation: 45 CFR Part 1624
SUBJECT CATEGORY: Prohibition Against Discrimination on the Basis of Disability DATES: Comments on this NPRM are due on June 26, 2006.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY: This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposes to amend the Legal Services Corporation's regulation on prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of disability. These proposed changes are intended to improve the utility of the regulation for LSC, its grantees and other interested persons, by updating the terminology used throughout the regulation, by adding a reference to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and by adding language to the enforcement provision setting forth LSC policy regarding investigation of complaints of violation of this regulation.
SUMMARY: Prohibition against discrimination on the basis of disability, SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Background Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 706), as amended, prohibits discrimination on the basis of handicap by recipients of Federal assistance. As recipients of federal assistance, Legal Services Corporation (LSC) grant recipients are subject to the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 504. At the same time, while the Corporation is not obligated to enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (since it is not an agency, department or instrumentality of the Federal [[Page 27655]]
government), it does have the authority to ensure that LSC grant recipients comply with its provisions. LSC chose to exercise this authority and adopted the Part 1624 regulation implementing the non
discrimination requirements in Section 504 in 1979. The regulation has not been amended since that time. On October 29, 2005, the LSC Board of Directors directed that LSC initiate a rulemaking to consider revisions to LSC's regulation at 45 CFR Part 1624. The rulemaking proceeding is intended to provide the opportunity for an unlimited and thorough review of the regulation with the intent of updating and improving the rule as appropriate. At the Board's further direction, prior to the development of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (``NPRM''), LSC convened a Rulemaking Workshop \1\ to consider revisions to this Part.
\1\ Under LSC's Rulemaking Protocol, a Rulemaking Workshop is a meeting at which the participants (which may include LSC Board members, staff, grantees and other interested parties) ``hold open discussions designed to elicit information about problems or concerns with the regulation (or certain aspects thereof) and provide an opportunity for sharing ideas regarding how to address those issues. * * * [A] Workshop is not intended to develop detailed alternatives or to obtain consensus on regulatory proposals.'' 67 FR 69762, 69763 (November 19, 2002). LSC convened a Rulemaking Workshop on December 13, 2005 to discuss Part 1624. The following persons participated in the Workshop: John ``Chip'' Gray, South Brooklyn Legal Services; John Herrion, United Spinal Association; Linda Perle, Center for Law and Social Policy; Don Saunders, National Legal Aid and Defender Association; Helaine Barnett, LSC President (welcoming remarks only); Karen Sarjeant, LSC Vice President for Programs and Compliance; Charles Jeffress, LSC Chief Administrative Officer; Mattie Condray, LSC Office of Legal Affairs; Curtis Goffe, LSC Office of Compliance and Enforcement; Tillie Lacayo, LSC Office of Program Performance; Mark Freedman, LSC Office of Legal Affairs; and Treefa Aziz, LSC Office of Government Relations and Public Affairs. The discussion was wideranging and open. The highlights of the discussion are summarized as follows. There was a general assessment that grantees appear to be in compliance with the regulation and that LSC does not receive many complaints of noncompliance. It was noted that most of the complaints that do come to LSC are from grantee staff and are related to employment discrimination, rather than accessibility of services for applicants or clients with disabilities. LSC's staff practice is to refer such complainants to the appropriate Federal, state or local agency. At the same time, it was noted that the language of the regulation could be updated in places and that there are new assistive technologies which could be referenced in the regulation.
The participants discussed the fact that LSC's enforcement expertise and resources are limited and that claimants, with the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (``ADA''), have recourse to other agencies and private actions for the pursuit of redress for discrimination on the basis of disability. The notion that the regulation could be amended to reflect these facts was raised. In addition, the participants also discussed other avenues of raising awareness of accessibility issues, such as the issuance of guidance from LSC in the form of a Program Letter, focusing on accessibility in program visits and in competition, better sharing of best practices and emphasis on opportunities through LSC's Technology Initiative Grant Program. At its meeting on January 27, 2006, LSC management made a presentation to the Operations and Regulations Committee of the LSC Board of Directors on the Rulemaking Workshop. The Committee then voted to recommend that the Board of Directors directed LSC to continue the rulemaking and develop an NPRM, proposing such changes as deemed appropriate. On January 28, 2006, the Board of Directors voted to accept the recommendation of the Operations and Regulations Committee.
LSC is proposing only relatively minor changes to the regulation, but LSC believes that these changes will improve the utility of the regulation for LSC, its grantees and other interested persons. First, LSC is proposing to update the nomenclature used throughout the regulation to refer to ``person with a disability'' or ``persons with disabilities'' instead of ``handicapped person(s).'' This change is not intended to create any substantive change in meaning, but rather is intended to reflect a more current terminology. Second, LSC is proposing to add a reference to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to the regulation. This change is discussed in greater detail in the sectionbysection analysis section under the discussion of proposed section 1624.1. Third, LSC is proposing to add language to the enforcement provision setting forth LSC policy regarding investigation of complaints of violation of this regulation. This change is discussed in greater detail in the sectionbysection analysis section under the discussion of proposed section 1624.8. LSC is also proposing to make a number of technical and grammatical corrections to the regulation. In addition, LSC is proposing to eliminate the current section 1624.7 of the regulation on selfevaluation. This section required legal services programs to evaluate by January 1, 1980, their facilities, practices and policies to determine the extent to which they complied with the requirements of this Part. This section does not contain a continuing requirement for selfevaluation and, as such, is now obsolete. LSC is thus proposing to eliminate it. Under section 1624.5, grantees are required to certify facility accessibility prior to entering into leases or purchases of office space (or, if the facility will not be accessible, provide a detailed statement as to why the facility is not accessible and describe steps that the grantee will take to make sure its services are accessible). This requirement ensures that facilities are, to the maximum extent feasible, accessible to persons with disabilities and ensures that grantees are taking accessibility issues into consideration in providing services. SectionbySection Analysis
Section 1624.1Purpose
LSC is proposing to change the terms ``handicapped persons'' as they appear in this section to ``persons with disabilities.'' In addition, LSC is proposing to add language to make reference to the ADA. The new language would note that requirements of this Part apply in addition to any responsibilities legal services programs may have under applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable implementing regulations of the Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The proposed language is not intended to impose any new obligations on grantees with respect to LSCrelated regulatory compliance matters, nor assume LSC authority for enforcing the ADA that LSC does not possess. [[Page 27656]]
Section 1624.2Application
LSC is not proposing any changes to this section. Section 1624.3Definitions LSC is proposing to change the term ``handicapped person'' to ``person with a disability'' in section 1624.3(c)(1). Similarly, LSC proposes to change the term ``qualified handicapped person'' in section 1624.3(d) to ``qualified person with a disability.'' In neither case is the proposed change intended to create any substantive change to the regulation, but rather to reflect updated and preferred nomenclature.
LSC is also proposing to add a definition of the term ``auxiliary aids and/or other assistive technology.'' Under section 1624.4, grantees with more than fifteen employees are required to provide appropriate ``auxiliary aids'' when necessary to clients and applicants to make services accessible. Although the current regulation uses the term ``auxiliary aids,'' it does not contain a formal definition of the term in the definition section. Rather, section 1624.4 provides that for the purposes of that section, ``auxiliary aids include, but are not limited to, brailled and taped material, interpreters, telecommunications equipment for the deaf, and other aids for persons with impaired vision and hearing.'' Although this informal definition of ``auxiliary aids'' appears to be limited to aids for persons with impaired vision or hearing, the provision of the regulation which requires their use calls for auxiliary aids for persons ``with impaired sensory, manual or speaking skills,'' which is broader than simply vision or hearing impairments. LSC believes that this discrepancy should be rectified. In addition, although the term ``auxiliary aids'' is not used in the section on employment (1624.6), a similar concept appears there. Under section 1624.6(e), grantees are required to make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified employees and job applicants with disabilities. The regulation specifies that, among other things, ``reasonable accommodations'' include (but are not limited to) ``the modification of equipment or devices, the provision of readers or interpreters and other similar actions.'' Rather than continue to have these similar concepts set forth in different parts of the regulation with different terminology, LSC is proposing to use the single term ``auxiliary aids and/or other assistive technology'' in both sections and to add a definition of that term to the definitions section. Since the original adoption of the regulation in 1979 there have been significant advances in technology which are available to persons with disabilities to help them access and benefit from legal services programs' services. The proposed definition is based on a definition of ``assistive technologies'' found in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400, et seq., and is intended to broadly refer to the range of aids or technologies which grantees can make available to applicants, clients and employees with disabilities, as appropriate and necessary, to comply with the requirements of this Part. LSC seeks comment on whether additional specific assistive technologies should be referenced in the list of nonexhaustive examples in the definition, and if so, which ones.
Section 1624.4Discrimination Prohibited
Section 1624.5Accessibility of Legal Services
Section 1624.6Employment
LSC is proposing two notable amendments to this section. First, in each instance in which the term ``handicapped person'' or ``handicapped persons'' appears, LSC proposes to replace it with ``person with a disability'' or ``persons with disabilities'' as grammatically appropriate. As noted above, LSC intends no substantive change, but merely the use of updated and preferred nomenclature. LSC is also proposing to use the term ``auxiliary aids and/or other assistive technologies'' instead of the words ``readers or interpreters'' in section 1626(e)(1). As discussed above, LSC believes that users of the regulation will be better served by using a standardized and formally defined term. LSC believes that using the term ``auxiliary aids and/or other assistive technologies'' in this section, combined with the proposed definition of that term, will better reflect the range of systems and devices existing in the market that grantees may choose from to make reasonable accommodations in employment for otherwise qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.
Section 1624.7Enforcement
The current regulation specifies only that LSC's enforcement procedures at 45 CFR part 1618 shall apply to alleged violations of this Part. Under part 1618, LSC is obligated to investigate complaints of violations of the LSC Act, appropriations acts, LSC regulations or grant assurances and to work with grantees to resolve matters informally when possible. Ultimately, if no informal resolution is agreed upon, LSC's enforcement powers involve reducing or eliminating funding generally. LSC does not have authority to directly order ``injunctive relief'' however, as do other Federal, state and local agencies charged with ADA and other disabilitybased discrimination law enforcement. Moreover, LSC's Office of Compliance and Enforcement, although taking those complaints of disabilitybased discrimination it [[Page 27657]]
receives seriously, has limited resources available and does not generally have significant expertise in investigating these types of claims. In light of the above, LSC's policy when such complaints have been filed with the Office of Compliance and Enforcement has been to recommend that complainants pursue claims with appropriate Federal, state or local agencies which may be in a better position to investigate their claims and order the relief being sought. In cases where a claim is filed with another agency, LSC generally defers to that investigation during its pendency and relies upon the findings of the other agency in resolving the complaint filed with LSC. LSC has found this policy to be efficient and effective. Accordingly, LSC is proposing to explicitly incorporate this policy into the regulation. LSC believes this action will clarify expectations for LSC enforcement staff, grantees, and potential claimants alike. Of course, LSC retains the discretion and authority to conduct its own investigations into any claim of disabilitybased discrimination grounded in this Part or the grant assurances and make its own findings upon the conclusion of such investigation, irrespective of whether a complaint based on the same circumstances is pending at another agency.
Civil rights, Grant programslaw, Individuals with disabilities, Legal services. For reasons set forth above, and under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 2996g(e), LSC proposes to revise 45 CFR part 1624 as follows:
PART 1624PROHIBITION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY Sec. 1624.1 Purpose. 1624.2 Application. 1624.3 Definitions. 1624.4 Discrimination prohibited. 1624.5 Accessibility of legal services. 1624.6 Employment.
1624.7 Enforcement.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 794; 42 U.S.C. 2996f(a) (1) and (3). Sec. 1624.1 Purpose. The purpose of this part is to assist and provide guidance to legal services programs supported in whole or in part by Legal Services Corporation funds in removing any impediments that may exist to the provision of legal assistance to persons with disabilities eligible for such assistance in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. section 794 and with sections 1007(a)(1) and (3) of the Legal Services Corporation Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. sections 2996f(a)(1) and (3), with respect to the provision of services to and employment of persons with disabilities. The requirements of this Part apply in addition to any responsibilities legal services programs may have under applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable implementing regulations of the Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
This part applies to each legal services program receiving financial assistance from the Legal Services Corporation. Sec. 1624.3 Definitions. As used in this part, the term:
(b) Facility means all or any portion of buildings, structures, equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, or other real or personal property or interest in such property; (c) (1) Person with a disability means any person who:
(i) Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) Has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) Is regarded as having such an impairment;
(iii) Has a record of such impairment means has a history of, or has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; (iv) Is regarded as having an impairment means:
(C) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section but is treated by a legal services program as having such an impairment; (d) Qualified person with a disability means:
(e) Auxiliary aids and/or other assistive technologies means any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and/or assistive technologies include, but are not limited to, brailled and taped material, interpreters, telecommunications equipment for the deaf, voice recognition software, computer screen magnifiers, screen reader software, wireless amplification systems, and other aids. Sec. 1624.4 Discrimination prohibited.
(a) No qualified person with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination by any legal services [[Page 27658]]
(f) A legal services program may not deny persons with disabilities the opportunity to participate as members of or in the meetings or activities of any planning or advisory board or process established by or conducted by the legal services program, including but not limited to meetings and activities conducted in response to the requirements of 45 CFR part 1620. Sec. 1624.5 Accessibility of legal services.
(d) A legal services program shall ensure that new facilities designed or constructed for it are readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. Alterations to existing facilities shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be designed and constructed to make the altered facilities readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. Sec. 1624.6 Employment.
(4) Job assignments, job classifications, organizational structures, position descriptions, lines of progression, and seniority lists; (5) Leaves of absence, sick leave, or any other leave;
(i) making facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities; and [[Page 27659]]
(ii) job restructuring, parttime or modified work schedules, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, the provision of auxiliary aids and/or other assistive technologies, and other similar actions.
(g) A legal services program may not conduct a preemployment medical examination or make a preemployment inquiry as to whether an applicant is a person with a disability or as to the nature or severity of a disability except under the circumstances described in 45 CFR 84.14(a) through (d)(2). The Corporation shall have access to relevant information obtained in accordance with this section to permit investigations of alleged violations of this Part.
(i) Any recruitment materials published or used by a legal services program shall include a statement that the legal services program does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Sec. 1624.7 Enforcement.
(b) When LSC receives a complaint of a violation of this Part, LSC policy is generally to refer such complainants promptly to the appropriate Federal, state or local agencies, although LSC retains the discretion to investigate all complaints and/or to maintain an open complaint file during the pendency of an investigation being conducted by such other Federal, state or local agency. LSC may use, at its discretion, information obtained by such other agency as may be available to LSC, including findings of such other agency of whether discrimination on the basis of disability occurred. Victor M. Fortuno, General Counsel and Vice President for Legal Affairs. [FR Doc. E67280 Filed 51106; 8:45 am]
Mattie Cohan Condray, Senior Assistant General Counsel, 2022951624 (ph); mcondray@lsc.gov.