Source: https://regulations.vlex.com/vid/prohibition-against-discrimination-22139942
Timestamp: 2020-08-10 00:21:27
Document Index: 698331015

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1624', 'art 1624', 'art 1624', 'art 1624', 'art 1624', 'art 1618', 'art 1618', '§ 502']

Practice and procedure: Prohibition against discrimination on the basis of disability, - May 12, 2006 - Regulations - VLEX 22139942
Practice and procedure: Prohibition against discrimination on the basis of disability,
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[DOCID:fr12my06-32]
45 CFR Part 1624
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.
DATES: Comments on this NPRM are due on June 26, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail to Mattie Cohan Condray, Senior Assistant General Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs, Legal Services Corporation, 3333 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20007; 202-295-1624 (ph); 202-337-6519 (fax); mcondray@lsc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mattie Cohan Condray, Senior Assistant General Counsel, 202-295-1624 (ph); mcondray@lsc.gov.
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 non-discrimination 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
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 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.
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 section-by-section 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 section-by-section 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.
Section 1624.1--Purpose
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 LSC-related regulatory compliance matters, nor assume LSC authority for enforcing the ADA that LSC does not possess.
Section 1624.2--Application
Section 1624.3--Definitions
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 non-exhaustive examples in the definition, and if so, which ones.
Section 1624.4--Discrimination Prohibited
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 rather to reflect updated and preferred nomenclature. LSC is also proposing to use the term ``auxiliary aids and/or other assistive technologies'' instead of the term ``auxiliary aids'' in section 1624.4(d)(1) and (2) and to delete the text appearing at 1624.4(d)(3). As discussed above, LSC believes that users of the regulation will be better served by having a formal definition of the term in the definitions section of the regulation than an informal definition elsewhere. In addition, LSC believes that expanding the term to include ``other assistive technologies,'' combined with the proposed definition, will better reflect the range of systems and devices existing in the market that grantees may choose from to help make their services accessible to persons with disabilities.
Section 1624.5--Accessibility of Legal Services
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 rather to reflect updated and preferred nomenclature. Second, LSC is proposing to replace the reference to ``the appropriate Regional Office'' in section 1624.5(c) with ``LSC.'' At the time Part 1624 was originally adopted LSC had Regional Offices, but it no longer does. All LSC business is conducted out of its Washington, D.C. offices. As such, the statement required by section 1624.5(c) cannot be submitted to a ``Regional Office'' any longer and such statements are simply submitted to LSC. The regulation should reflect this fact.
Section 1624.6--Employment
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 1624.7--Enforcement
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 disability-based discrimination law enforcement. Moreover, LSC's Office of Compliance and Enforcement, although taking those complaints of disability-based discrimination it
receives seriously, has limited resources available and does not generally have significant expertise in investigating these types of claims.
Civil rights, Grant programs--law, Individuals with disabilities, Legal services.
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.
Sec. 1624.1 Purpose.
Sec. 1624.2 Application.
Sec. 1624.3 Definitions.
(a) Legal services program means any recipient, as defined by Sec. 1600.1 of this chapter, or any other public or private agency, institution, organization, or other entity, or any person to which or to whom financial assistance is extended by the Legal Services Corporation directly or through another agency, institution, organization, entity or person, including any successor, assignee, or transferee of a legal services program, but does not include the ultimate beneficiary of legal assistance;
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]]
program, directly or through any contractual or other arrangement.
Sec. 1624.5 Accessibility of legal services.
Sec. 1624.6 Employment.
[[Page 27659]]
Sec. 1624.7 Enforcement.
Victor M. Fortuno, General Counsel and Vice President for Legal Affairs. [FR Doc. E6-7280 Filed 5-11-06; 8:45 am]
40 U.S.C. § 502 - Services for other entities