Disability Rights Section

Our Mission: To advance the nation's goal of equal opportunity, integration, full participation, inclusion, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities through enforcement, regulation, and technical assistance. ​

The Disability Rights Section (DRS) works to achieve equal opportunity for people with disabilities in the United States by implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and coordinating with federal agencies on the consistent implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504). The Section also enforces the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). The Section's enforcement, regulatory, coordination, and technical assistance activities, along with an innovative mediation program, provide a multi-faceted and dynamic approach for carrying out this mission.

Chief
Rebecca Bond

Contact
Tel: (202) 307-0663
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
4CON, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20530

ADA Information Line
Talk with an ADA Specialist
Voice: 800-514-0301
TTY: 1-833-610-1264
M, Tu, W, F: 9:30am - 12pm and 3pm - 5:30pm ET, Th: 2:30pm - 5:30pm ET

Final Rule on Accessibility of Medical Diagnostic Equipment under Title II Published

On August 9, 2024, the Department of Justice published a final rule updating the regulation for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to add more specific requirements about the accessibility of medical diagnostic equipment (MDE). The rule adopts a technical standard for accessible MDE and clarifies how State and local governments that use MDE can meet their obligations under Title II of the ADA.

Below are some key documents:

• Fact Sheet: This document provides a high-level summary of the rule. It is designed to provide an overview of the rule’s main requirements for State and local governments.
• Final Rule: This document provides the text of the rule and explains its requirements. If you need the final rule document or any other information in an alternative format, you can call the ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY). The official version of the rule is published in the Federal Register. You can read the rule at ada.gov.
• Benefit-Cost Analysis: This is an analysis of the benefits and costs of the rule, also called the Final Regulatory Impact Analysis (FRIA)
• Press Release: The Department issued a press release when the Attorney General signed the final rule.

New Title II Web and Mobile App Accessibility Final Rule Published in the Federal Register

The Department published in the Federal Register a final rule updating the regulation implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to add more specific requirements about web and mobile application (app) accessibility. The rule adopts a technical standard that State and local government entities will generally need to follow to meet their obligations under Title II of the ADA for web and mobile app accessibility. Below are some key documents:

• Fact Sheet: This document provides a high-level summary of the rule. It is designed to provide an overview of the rule’s main requirements for State and local governments.
• Final Rule: This document provides the text of the rule and explains its requirements. If you need the final rule document or any other information in an alternative format, you can call the ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY). The official version of the rule is published in the Federal Register.
• Benefit-Cost Analysis: This is an analysis of the benefits and costs of the rule, also called the Regulatory Impact Analysis and Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis.
• Small Entity Compliance Guide: The Department issued a guide to assist small entities in complying with the rule.
• Press Release: The Department issued a press release when the Attorney General signed the final rule.

Enforcement

The Disability Rights Section (DRS) enforces the ADA through lawsuits and settlement agreements to achieve greater access, inclusion, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. Broadly speaking, DRS enforces ADA matters that involve:

• Employment (Title I)
• State and local governments’ services, programs, and activities (Title II)
• Businesses and nonprofits open to the public (Title III)

Our Cases and Other Enforcement Matters

Go to our cases page on justice.gov/CRT

Go to our cases page on archive.ADA.gov

Regulations

DRS is responsible for developing DOJ’s regulations under Titles II and III of the ADA that explain the rights of people with disabilities and the obligations of those covered by the law.

ADA Technical Assistance

DRS operates a robust ADA technical assistance program to help educate the public about their rights and responsibilities under the ADA, which includes:

• ADA.gov is designed to better empower people to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as understand their rights and others’ rights, by creating and maintaining a website that is modern and user-centered.
• ADA Information Line has accessibility specialists that are available to answer questions from individuals, businesses, and state/local governments.

ADA Mediation Program

DRS oversees the ADA Mediation Program, which assists DOJ resolve ADA complaints through voluntary alternative dispute resolution.

Federal Coordination of Section 504 and Title II of the ADA

DRS is responsible for the day-to-day coordination of Executive agencies’ implementation and enforcement of the nondiscrimination provisions of Section 504 as required by Executive Order 12250. Similarly, DRS also leads the Division's efforts to provide policy guidance and interpretations to designated agencies to ensure consistent and effective implementation of their administrative compliance activities under Title II of the ADA.

Section 504 and ADA Federal Coordination Resources

• Civil Rights Division (CRT) Memorandum on Federal Agencies' Implementation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
• CRT Memorandum Permitting Entities Covered by the Federally Assisted Provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to Use the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design as an Alternative Accessibility Standard for New Construction and Alterations

General Federal Coordination Resources

• Memorandum from Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke re: Executive Order 12250 Clearance Requirements - October 12, 2021
  • Clearance Requirements for Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and Related Nondiscrimination Regulations and Policy Guidance Documents
  • Department of Justice Regulatory Clearance Role Under EO 12250 Infographic
  • Coordination of Federal Agencies' Implementation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
  Disability Rights Section News Press Release

  The Justice Department announced today that it filed a complaint and proposed consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland resolving allegations that the.

  September 12, 2024 Press Release

  The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Town of New Canaan to resolve allegations that some of the town’s facilities did not comply with.

  September 10, 2024 Press Release

  The Justice Department sued the State of Maine today for unnecessarily segregating children with behavioral health disabilities in hospitals, residential facilities and a state-operated juvenile detention facility in.

  September 9, 2024 Press Release

  The Justice Department announced today that it filed a complaint and proposed consent decree to resolve allegations that Lincoln Public Schools (LPS), in Lincoln, Nebraska, violated the Americans.

  August 15, 2024 Press Release

  The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a landmark agreement with the County of Los Angeles to resolve its lawsuit alleging that the county violated the.