15 C.F.R. PART 8b—PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE HANDICAPPED IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Title 15 - Commerce and Foreign Trade
Authority: 29 U.S.C. 794.
Source: 47 FR 17746, Apr. 23, 1982, unless otherwise noted.
Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 8b appear at 68 FR 51353, Aug. 26, 2003.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, prohibits discrimination on the basis of handicap in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The purpose of this part is to implement section 504 with respect to programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department of Commerce. This part applies to each recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Department of Commerce and to each program or activity receiving such assistance. The requirements of this part do not apply to the ultimate beneficiaries of Federal financial assistance in the program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. As used in this part, the term: (a) The Act means the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93–112, as amended by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974, Pub. L. 93–516, and by the Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978, Pub. L. 95–602 (codified at 29 U.S.C. 794 (1976 & Supp. II 1978)). (b) Applicant for assistance means one who submits an application, request, or plan required to be approved by a Department official or by a recipient as a condition to becoming a recipient. (c) Department means the Department of Commerce and any of its constituent units authorized to provide Federal financial assistance. (d) Facility means all or any portion of buildings, ships, structures, equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, industrial parks, or other real or personal property or interest in such property. (e) Federal financial assistance means any grant, loan, contract (other than a procurement contract or a contract of insurance or guarantee), or any other arrangement by which the Department provides or otherwise makes available assistance in the form of: (1) Funds; (2) Services of Federal personnel; or (3) Real and personal property or any interest in or use of such property, including: (i) Transfers or leases of such property for less than fair market value or for reduced consideration; and (ii) Proceeds from a subsequent transfer or lease of such property if the Federal share of its fair market value is not returned to the Federal Government. (f) Handicap means any condition or characteristic that renders a person a handicapped person as defined in paragraph (g) of this section. (g) Handicapped person—(1) Handicapped person 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. (2) For purposes of employment, the term “handicapped person” does not include any person who is an alcoholic or drug abuser whose current use of alcohol or drugs prevents that individual from performing the duties of the job in question, or whose employment, because of current alcohol or drug abuse, would constitute a direct threat to property or to the safety of others. (3) As used in paragraph (g)(1) of this section, the phrase: (i) Physical or mental impairment means: (A) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: Neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or (B) Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities; (C) The term “physical or mental impairment” includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual speech and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, drug addiction and alcoholism. (ii) Major life activities means functions such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, and receiving education or vocational training. (iii) Has a record of such an impairment means that the individual 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 that the individual: (A) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities, but that is treated by a recipient as constituting such a limitation; (B) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward such impairment; or (C) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (g)(3)(i) of this section, but is treated by a recipient as having such an impairment. (h) Program or activity means all of the operations of any entity described in paragraphs (h)(1) through (4) of this section, any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance: (1)(i) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or (ii) The entity of such State or local government that distributes such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the case of assistance to a State or local government; (2)(i) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or a public system of higher education; or (ii) A local educational agency (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801), system of vocational education, or other school system; (3)(i) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private organization, or an entire sole proprietorship— (A) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or (B) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and recreation; or (ii) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship; or (4) Any other entity which is established by two or more of the entities described in paragraph (h)(1), (2), or (3) of this section. (i) Qualified handicapped person means: (1) With respect to employment, a handicapped person who, with reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job in question; (2) With respect to post secondary and vocational education services, a handicapped person who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in the recipient's education program or activity; (3) With respect to other services, a handicapped person who meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of such services. (j) Recipient means any State or its political subdivisions, any instrumentality of a State or its political subdivisions, any public or private agency, institution, organization, or other entity, or any person to which Federal financial assistance is extended directly or indirectly through another recipient, or including any successor, assignee, or transferee of a recipient, but excluding the ultimate beneficiary of the assistance. (k) Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce. (l) Section 504 means section 504 of the Act. (m) Small recipient means a recipient who serves fewer than 15 beneficiaries and who employs fewer than 15 employees at all times during a grant year. [47 FR 17746, Apr. 23, 1982, as amended at 68 FR 51353, Aug. 26, 2003] (a) General. No qualified handicapped individual shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance. (b) Discriminatory actions prohibited. (1) A recipient, in providing any aid, benefit, or service, may not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, on the basis of handicap: (i) Deny a qualified handicapped individual the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service; (ii) Afford a qualified handicapped individual an opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service that is not equal to that afforded others; (iii) Provide a qualified handicapped individual with any aid, benefit, or service that is not as effective as that provided to others; (iv) Provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to handicapped individuals or to any class of handicapped individuals, unless such action is necessary to provide qualified handicapped individuals with aid, benefits, or services that are as effective as those provided to others; (v) Aid or perpetuate discrimination against a qualified handicapped individual by providing significant assistance to an agency, organization, or person that discriminates on the basis of handicap in providing any aid, benefit, or service to beneficiaries of the recipient's program or activity; (vi) Deny a qualified handicapped individual the opportunity to participate as a member of planning or advisory boards; or (vii) Otherwise limit a qualified handicapped individual in the enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by others receiving any aid, benefits, or services. (2) For purposes of this part, aid, benefits, and services must afford handicapped individuals an equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit, or to reach the same level of achievement as afforded to others, in the most integrated setting appropriate to the individual's needs. However, aid, benefits and services, to be equally effective, need not produce the identical result or level of achievement for handicapped and nonhandicapped individuals. (3) A recipient may not deny a qualified handicapped individual the opportunity to participate in its regular aid, benefits, or services, despite the existence of separate or different aid, benefits, or services which are established in accordance with this part. (4) A recipient may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, use criteria or methods of administration: (i) That have the effect of subjecting qualified handicapped individuals to discrimination on the basis of handicap; (ii) That have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the recipient's program or activity with respect to handicapped individuals; or (iii) That perpetuate the discrimination of another recipient if both recipients are subject to common administrative control or are agencies of the same state. (5) In determining the geographic site or location of a facility, an applicant for assistance or a recipient may not make selections: (i) That have the effect of excluding handicapped individuals from, denying them the benefit of, or otherwise subjecting them to discrimination under any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance; or (ii) That have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing the accomplishment of the objectives of the program or activity with respect to handicapped individuals. (6) As used in this section, the aid, benefit, or service provided under a program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance includes any aid, benefit, or service provided in or through a facility that has been constructed, expanded, altered, leased, rented or otherwise acquired, in whole or in part, with Federal financial assistance. (7)(i) In providing services, recipients to which this subpart applies, except small recipients, shall ensure that no handicapped participant is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under the program or activity operated by the recipient because of the absence of auxiliary aids for participants with impaired sensory, manual or speaking skills. A recipient shall operate each program or activity to which this subpart applies so that, when viewed in its entirety, auxiliary aids are readily available. The Secretary may require small recipients to provide auxiliary aids in order to ensure that no handicapped participant is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under the program or activity operated by small recipients, when this would not significantly impair the ability of the small recipient to provide benefits or services. (ii) Auxiliary aids may include brailled and taped materials, interpreters, telecommunications devices, or other equally effective methods of making orally delivered information available to persons with hearing impairments, readers for persons with visual impairments, equipment adapted for use by persons with manual impairments, and other similar devices and actions. Recipients need not provide attendants, individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature. (c) Aid, benefits, or services limited by Federal law. The exclusion of non-handicapped persons from aid, benefits, or services limited by Federal statute or Executive order to handicapped individuals, or the exclusion of a specific class of handicapped individuals from aid, benefits, or services limited by Federal statute or Executive order to a different class of handicapped individuals is not prohibited by this part. (d) Integrated setting. Recipients shall administer programs or activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified handicapped individuals. (e) Communications with individuals with impaired vision and hearing. Recipients shall ensure that communications with their applicants, employees and beneficiaries are available to persons with impaired vision or hearing. Appropriate modes of communication may include braille, enlarged type, sign language and telecommunications devices. [47 FR 17746, Apr. 23, 1982, as amended at 68 FR 51353, Aug. 26, 2003] (a) Assurances. An applicant for Federal financial assistance to which this part applies shall submit an assurance, on a form specified by the Secretary, that the program or activity will be operated in compliance with this part. An applicant may incorporate these assurances by reference in subsequent applications to the Department. (b) Duration of obligation. (1) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended in the form of real property or structures on the property, the assurance will obligate the recipient or, in the case of a subsequent transfer, the transferee, for the period during which the real property or structures are used for the purpose for which Federal financial assistance is extended, or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits. (2) In case of Federal financial assistance extended to provide personal property, the assurance will obligate the recipient for the period during which it retains ownership or possession of the property. (3) In all other cases, the assurance will obligate the recipient for the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended or the federally-funded program or activity is operated, whichever is longer. (c) Covenants. (1) Where Federal financial assistance is provided in the form of real property or interest in the property from the Department, the instrument effecting or recording this transfer shall contain a covenant running with the land to assure nondiscrimination for the period during which the real property is used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits. (2) Where no transfer or property is involved but property is purchased or improved with Federal financial assistance, the recipient shall agree to include the covenant described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section in the instrument effecting or recording any subsequent transferee of the property. (3) Where Federal financial assistance is provided in the form of real property or interest in the property from the Department, the covenant shall also include a condition coupled with a right to be reserved by the Department to revert title to the property in the event of a breach of the covenant. If a transferee of real property proposed to mortgage or otherwise encumber the real property as security to finance construction of new, or improvement of existing, facilities on the property for the purposes for which the property was transferred, the Secretary may agree to forbear the exercise of such right to revert title for so long as the lien of such mortgage or other encumbrance remains effective. Such an agreement by the Secretary may be entered into only upon the request of the transferee (recipient) if it is necessary to accomplish such financing and upon such terms and conditions as the Secretary deems appropriate. (d) Interagency agreements. Where funds are granted by the Department to another Federal agency to carry out the objectives of Federal financial assistance under a law administered by the Department, and where the grant obligates the recipient agency to comply with the rules and regulations of the Department applicable to that grant the provisions of this part shall apply to programs or activities operated with such funds. (a) Remedial action. (1) If the Secretary finds that a recipient has discriminated against persons on the basis of handicap in violation of section 504 or this part, the recipient shall take such remedial action as the Secretary deems necessary to overcome the effects of the discrimination. (2) Where a recipient is found to have discriminated against persons on the basis of handicap in violation of section 504 or this part and where another recipient exercises control over the recipient that has discriminated, the Secretary, where appropriate, may require either or both recipients to take remedial action. (3) The Secretary may, where necessary to overcome the effects of discrimination in violation of section 504 or this part, require a recipient to take remedial action: (i) With respect to handicapped individuals who would have been participants in the program or activity had the discrimination not occurred; and (ii) With respect to handicapped persons who are no longer participants in the recipient's program or activity, but who were participants in the program or activity when the discrimination occurred; and (iii) with respect to employees and applicants for employment. (b) Voluntary action. A recipient may take steps, in addition to any action that is required by this part, to overcome the effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation in the recipient's program or activity by qualified handicapped individuals. (c) Self-evaluation. (1) A recipient shall, within one year of the effective date of this part: (i) Evaluate, with the assistance of interested persons, including handicapped individuals or organizations representing handicapped individuals, its current policies and practices and the effects thereof that do not or may not meet the requirements of this part; (ii) Modify, after consultation with interested persons, including handicapped individuals or organizations representing handicapped individuals, any policies and practices that do not meet the requirements of this part; and (iii) Take, after consultation with interested persons, including handicapped individuals or organizations representing handicapped individuals, appropriate remedial steps to eliminate the effects of any discrimination that resulted from adherence to these policies and practices. (2) A recipient, other than a small recipient, shall for at least three years following completion of the evaluation required under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, maintain on file, make available for public inspection, and provide to the Secretary upon request: (i) A list of the interested persons consulted; (ii) A description of areas examined and any problems identified; and (iii) A description of any modifications made and of any remedial steps taken. (3) The Secretary may, as he or she deems necessary, direct recipients to conduct additional self-evaluations, in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section. [47 FR 17746, Apr. 23, 1982, as amended at 47 FR 35472, Aug. 16, 1982] (a) Designation of responsible employee. A recipient, other than a small recipient, shall designate at least one person to coordinate its efforts to comply with this part. (b) Adoption of grievance procedures. A recipient, other than a small recipient, shall adopt grievance procedures that incorporate appropriate due process standards and that provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by this part. Such procedures need not be established with respect to complaints from applicants for employment or from applicants for admission to post secondary educational institutions. (a) A recipient, other than a small recipient, shall take appropriate initial and continuing steps to notify participants, beneficiaries, applicants and employees, including those with impaired vision or hearing, and unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the recipient, that it does not discriminate on the basis of handicap in violation of Section 504 and of this part. The notification shall state, where appropriate, that the recipient does not discriminate in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The notification shall also include an identification of the responsible employee designated pursuant to §8b.7(a). A recipient shall make the initial notification required by this paragraph within 90 days of the effective date of this part. Methods of initial and continuing notification may include the posting of notices, publications in newspapers and magazines, placement of notices in recipient's publications, and distribution of memoranda or other written communication. A recipient shall take appropriate steps to ensure that notice is available to persons with impaired vision or hearing. (b) If a recipient publishes or uses recruitment materials or publications containing general information made available to participants, beneficiaries, applicants, or employees, it shall include in those materials or publications a statement of the policy described in paragraph (a) of this section. A recipient may meet the requirement of this paragraph either by including appropriate inserts in existing materials and publications, or by revising and reprinting the materials and publications. The Secretary may require small recipients to comply with §§8b.7 and 8b.8, in whole or in part, when the Secretary finds a violation of this part or finds that such compliance will not significantly impair the ability of the small recipient to provide benefits or services. (a) The obligation to comply with this part is not obviated or alleviated by the existence of any state or local law or other requirement that, on the basis of handicap, imposes prohibitions or limits upon the eligibility of qualified handicapped individuals to receive services, participate in programs or activities, or practice any occupation or profession. (b) The obligation to comply with this part is not obviated or alleviated because employment opportunities in any occupation or profession are or may be more limited for handicapped individuals than for nonhandicapped persons. (a) General. (1) No qualified handicapped individual shall, on the basis of handicap, be subjected to discrimination in employment under any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance. (2) A recipient shall make all decisions concerning employment under any program or activity to which this part applies in a manner which ensures that discrimination on the basis of handicap does not occur and may not limit, segregate, or classify applicants or employees in any way that adversely affects their opportunities or status because of handicap. (3) A recipient may not participate in a contractual or other relationship that has the effect of subjecting qualified handicapped applicants or employees to discrimination prohibited by this subpart. The relationships referred to in this subparagraph include relationships with employment and referral agencies, with labor unions, with organizations providing or administering fringe benefits to employees of the recipient, and with organizations providing training and apprenticeships. (b) Specific activities. The prohibition against discrimination in employment applies to the following activities: (1) Recruitment, advertising and the processing of applicants for employment; (2) Hiring, upgrading, promotion, award of tenure, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination, right of return from layoff and rehiring; (3) Rates of pay or any other form of compensation and changes in compensation; pension or other benefit the applicant or employee receives from any other source. (a) A recipient shall make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or metal limitations of an otherwise qualified handicapped applicant or employee unless the recipient can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of its program or activity. (b) Reasonable accommodation may include: (1) Making the facilities used by the employees in the area where the program or activity is conducted, including common areas used by all employees such as hallways, restrooms, cafeterias and lounges, readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons; and (2) Job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, the provision of readers or interpreters, and other similar actions. (c) In determining pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section whether an accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of a recipient's program or activity, factors to be considered include: (1) The overall size of the recipient's program or activity with respect to number of employees, number of participants, number and type of facilities, and size of budget; (2) The type of the recipient's operation, including the composition and structure of the recipient's workforce; and (3) The nature and cost of the accommodation needed. (d) A recipient may not deny any employment opportunity to a qualified handicapped employee or applicant if the basis for the denial is the need to make reasonable accommodation to the physical or mental limitations of the employee or applicant. (e) Nothing in this paragraph shall relieve a recipient of its obligation to make its program or activity accessible as required in subpart C of this part, or to provide auxiliary aids, as required by §8b.4(b)(7). (a) A recipient may not make use of any employment test or other selection criterion that screens out or tends to screen out handicapped individuals or any class of handicapped individuals unless; (1) The test score or other selection criterion, as used by the recipient, is shown to be job-related for the position in question; and (2) Alternative job-related tests or criteria that do not screen out or tend to screen out as many handicapped individuals are not shown by the Secretary to be available. (b) A recipient shall select and administer tests concerning employment so as best to ensure that, when administered to an applicant or employee who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test results accurately to reflect the applicant's or employee's job skills aptitude, or whatever factor the test purports to measure, rather than reflecting the applicant's or employee's impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills (except where those skills are the factors that the test purports to measure). (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a recipient may not conduct preemployment inquiry of an applicant for employment as to whether the applicant is a handicapped individual, or as to the nature or severity of a handicap. A recipient may, however, make preemployment inquiry into an applicant's ability to perform job-related functions. (b) When a recipient is taking remedial action to correct the effects of past discrimination pursuant to §8b.6(a), when a recipient is taking voluntary action to overcome the effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation in this federally assisted program or activity pursuant to §8b.6(b), or when a recipient is taking affirmative action pursuant to section 503 of the Act, the recipient may invite applicants for employment to indicate whether and to what extent they are handicapped, Provided, That: (1) The recipient states clearly on any written questionnaire used for this purpose or makes clear orally, if no written questionnaire is used, that the information requested is intended for use solely in connection with its remedial action obligations or its voluntary or affirmative action efforts; and (2) The recipient states clearly that the information is being requested on a voluntary basis, that it will be kept confidential as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, that refusal to provide it will not subject the applicant or employee to any adverse treatment, and that it will be used only in accordance with this part. (c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a recipient from conditioning an offer of employment on the results of a medical examination conducted prior to the employee's entrance on duty, Provided, That: (1) All employees are subject to such an examination regardless of handicap, and (2) The results of such an examination are used only in accordance with the requirements of this part. (d) Information obtained in accordance with this section as to the medical condition or history of the applicant shall be collected and maintained on separate forms that shall be accorded confidentiality as medical records, except: (1) Employing officials may obtain the information after making a conditional decision to make a job offer to the applicant or the applicant was placed conditionally in a job pool or placed conditionally on an eligibility list; (2) Supervisors and managers may be informed regarding restrictions on the work or duties of qualified handicapped individuals and regarding necessary accommodations; (3) First aid and safety personnel may be informed, where appropriate, if the condition might require emergency treatment; and (4) Government officials investigating compliance with the Act shall be provided information upon request. No qualified handicapped individual possessing an appropriate license or certificate obtained from the United States Coast Guard pursuant to the requirements of 46 CFR 10.01–1 et seq. and 12.01–1 et seq. shall, on the basis of handicap, be subjected to discrimination in employment on ships under any program or activity to which this part applies. No qualified handicapped individual shall, because a recipient's facilities are inaccessible to or unusable by handicapped individuals, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity to which this part applies. (a) Accessibility. A recipient shall operate each program or activity to which this part applies so that when each part is viewed in its entirety it is readily accessible to qualified handicapped individuals. This paragraph does not require a recipient to make each of its existing facilities or every part of a facility accessible to and usable by qualified handicapped individuals. However, if a particular program is available in only one location, that site must be made accessible or the aid, benefit, or service must be made available at an alternative accessible site or sites. Accessibility requires nonpersonal aids to make the aid, benefit, or service accessible to mobility impaired persons. (b) Methods. A recipient may comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section through such means as redesign of equipment, reassignment of classes or other 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 in conformance with the requirement of §8b.19, or any other method that results in making its program or activity accessible to handicapped individuals. A recipient is not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where other methods are effective in achieving compliance with paragraph (a) of this section. In choosing among available methods for meeting the requirement of paragraph (a) of this section, a recipient shall give priority to those methods that serve handicapped individuals in the most integrated setting appropriate. (c) If a small recipient finds, after consultation with a qualified handicapped individual seeking its services, that there is no method of complying with paragraph (a) of this section other than making a significant alteration in its existing facilities or facility, the small recipient may, as an alternative, refer the qualified handicapped individual to other providers of those services that are accessible at no additional cost to the handicapped. (d) Time period. A recipient shall comply with the requirement of paragraph (a) of this section within 60 days of the effective date of this part. Where structural changes in facilities are necessary, such changes shall be made within three years of the effective date of this part, but in any event as expeditiously as possible. (e) Transition plan. In the event that structural changes to facilities are necessary to meet the requirement of paragraph (a) of this section, a recipient shall develop, within six months of the effective date of this part, a transition plan setting forth the steps necessary to complete such changes. The plan shall be developed with the assistance of interested persons, including handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped persons. A copy of the transition plan shall be made available for public inspection. The plan shall, at a minimum: (1) Identify physical obstacles in the recipient's facilities that limit the accessibility of its program or activity to qualified handicapped individuals; (2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the facilities accessible; (3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve full accessibility under §8b.17(a) and, if the time period of the transition plan is longer than one year, identify the steps that will be taken during each year of the transition period; and (4) Indicate the person responsible for implementation of the plan. (f) Notice. The recipient shall adopt and implement procedures to ensure that interested persons, including persons with impaired vision or hearing, can obtain information as to the existence and location of services, activities and facilities that are accessible to and usable by qualified handicapped individuals. [47 FR 17746, Apr. 23, 1982, as amended at 47 FR 35472, Aug. 16, 1982; 68 FR 51353, Aug. 26, 2003] (a) Design and construction. Each facility or part of a facility constructed by, on behalf of, or for the use of a recipient shall be designed and constructed in such manner that the facility or part of the facility is readily accessible to and usable by qualified handicapped individuals, if the construction was commenced after the effective date of this part. (b) Alteration. Each facility or part of a facility which is altered by, on behalf of, or for the use of a recipient after the effective date of this part of the facility shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be altered in such manner that the altered portion of the facility is readily accessible to and usable by qualified handicapped individuals. (c) Conformance with Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards. (1) Effective as of August 17, 1990, design, construction, or alteration of buildings in conformance with sections 3–8 of the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) (Appendix A to 41 CFR subpart 101–19.6) shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this section with respect to those buildings. Departures from particular technical and scoping requirements of UFAS by the use of other methods are permitted where substantially equivalent or greater access to and usability of the building is provided. (2) For purposes of this section, section 4.1.6(1)(g) of UFAS shall be interpreted to exempt from the requirements of UFAS only mechanical rooms and other spaces that, because of their intended use, will not require accessibility to the public or beneficiaries or result in the employment or residence therein of persons with physical handicaps. (3) This section does not require recipients to make building alterations that have little likelihood of being accomplished without removing or altering a load-bearing structural member. [47 FR 17746, Apr. 23, 1982, as amended at 55 FR 29320, July 18, 1990] Subpart D applies to post secondary education programs or activities, including post secondary vocational education programs or activities, that receive Federal financial assistance for the operation of, such programs or activities. (a) General. Qualified handicapped may not, on the basis of handicap, be denied admission or be subjected to discrimination in admission or recruitment by a recipient to which this subpart applies. (b) Admissions. In administering its admission policies, a recipient to which this subpart applies: (1) May not apply limitations upon the number or proportion of handicapped individuals who may be admitted; and (2) May not make use of any test or criterion for admission that has a disproportionate, adverse effect on handicapped individuals or any class of handicapped individuals unless: (i) The test or criterion, as used by the recipient, has been validated as a predictor of success in the education program or activity in question; and (ii) Alternate tests or criteria that have a less disproportionate, adverse effect are not shown by the Secretary to be available. (3) Shall assure itself that (i) admissions tests are selected and administered so as best to ensure that, when a test is administered to an applicant who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test results accurately reflect the applicant's aptitude or achievement level of whatever other factor the test purports to measure, rather than reflecting the applicant's impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills (except where those skills are the factors that the test purports to measure); (ii) admissions tests that are designed for persons with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills are offered as often and in as timely a manner as are other admissions tests; and (iii) admissions tests are administered in facilities that, on the whole, are accessible to handicapped individuals; and (4) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, may not make pre-admission inquiry as to whether an applicant for admission is a handicapped individual but, after admission, may make inquiries on a confidential basis as to handicaps that may require accommodation. (c) Pre-admission inquiry exception. When a recipient is taking remedial action to correct the effects of past discrimination pursuant to §8b.6(a) or when a recipient is taking voluntary action to overcome the effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation in its federally assisted program or activity pursuant to §8b.6(b), the recipient may invite applicants for admission to indicate whether and to what extent they are handicapped, Provided, That: (1) The recipient states clearly on any written questionnaire used for this purpose or makes clear orally, if no written questionnaire is used, that the information requested is intended for use solely in connection with its remedial action obligations or its voluntary action efforts; and (2) The recipient states clearly that the information is being requested on a voluntary basis, that it will be kept confidential, that refusal to provide it will not subject the applicant to any adverse treatment, and that it will be used only in accordance with this part. (d) Validity studies. For the purpose of paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a recipient may base prediction equations on first year grades, but shall conduct periodic validity studies against the criterion of overall success in the education program or activity in question in order to monitor the general validity of the test scores. (a) General. No qualified handicapped student shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any academic research, occupational training, housing, health insurance, counseling, financial aid, physical education, athletics, recreation, transportation, other extracurricular, or other post secondary education aid, benefits, or services to which this subpart applies. (b) A recipient to which this subpart applies that considers participation by students in education programs or activities not operated wholly by the recipient as part of, or equivalent to, education programs or activities operated by the recipient shall assure itself that the other education program or activity, as a whole, provides an equal opportunity for the participation of qualified handicapped persons. (c) A recipient to which this subpart applies may not, on the basis of handicap exclude any qualified handicapped student from any course or study, or other part of its education program or activity. (d) A recipient to which this subpart applies shall operate its program or activity in the most integrated setting appropriate. (a) Academic requirements. A recipient to which this subpart applies shall make such modifications to its academic requirements as are necessary to ensure that such requirements do not discriminate or have the effect of discriminating, on the basis of handicap, against a qualified handicapped applicant or student. Academic requirements that the recipient can demonstrate are essential to the instruction being pursued by such student or to any directly related licensing requirement will not be regarded as discriminatory within the meaning of this section. Modifications may include changes in the length of time permitted for the completion of degree requirements, substitution of specific courses required for the completion of degree requirements, and adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted. (b) Other rules. A recipient to which this subpart applies may not impose upon handicapped students other rules, such as the prohibition of tape recorders in classrooms or of dog guides in campus buildings, that have the effect of limiting the participation of handicapped students in the recipient's education program or activity. (c) Course examinations. In its course examinations or other procedures for evaluating student's academic achievement, a recipient to which this subpart applies shall provide such methods for evaluating the achievement of students who have a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills as will best ensure that the results of the evaluation represents the student's achievement in the course, rather than reflecting the student's impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills (except where such skills are the factors that the test purports to measure). (d) Auxiliary aids. (1) A recipient to which this subpart applies shall ensure that no handicapped student is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination because of the absence of educational auxiliary aids for students with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills. A recipient shall operate each program or activity to which this subpart applies so that, when viewed in its entirety, auxiliary aids are readily available. (2) Auxiliary aids may include taped text, interpreters or other effective methods of making orally delivered materials available to students with hearing impairments, readers in libraries for students with visual impairments, classroom equipment adapted for use by students with manual impairments, and other similar services and actions. Recipients need not provide attendants, individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature. (a) A recipient that provides housing to its nonhandicapped students shall provide comparable, convenient, and accessible housing to handicapped students at the same cost as to others. At the end of transition period provided for in subpart C, such housing shall be available in sufficient quantity and variety so that the scope of handicapped students choice of living accommodations is, as a whole, comparable to that of nonhandicapped students. (b) Other housing. A recipient that assists any agency, organization, or person in making housing available to any of its students shall take such action as may be necessary to assure itself that such housing is, as a whole, made available in a manner that does not result in discrimination on the basis of handicap. (a) Provision of financial assistance. (1) In providing financial assistance to qualified handicapped individuals, a recipient to which this subpart applies may not (i) on the basis of handicap, provide less assistance than is provided to nonhandicapped persons, limit eligibility for assistance, or otherwise discriminate or (ii) assist any entity or person that provides assistance to any of the recipient's students in a manner that discriminates against qualified handicapped individuals on the basis of handicap. (2) A recipient may administer or assist in the administration of scholarships, fellowships, or other forms of financial assistance established under wills, trust, bequest, or similar legal instruments that require awards to be made on the basis of factors that discriminate or have the effect of discriminating on the basis of handicap only if the overall effect of the award of scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial assistance is not discriminatory on the basis of handicap. (b) Assistance in making available outside employment. A recipient that assists any agency, organization, or person in providing employment opportunities to any of its students shall assure itself that such employment opportunities, as a whole, are made available in a manner that would not violate subpart B if they were provided by the recipient. (c) Employment of student by recipients. A recipient that employs any of its students may not do so in a manner that violates subpart B. (a) Physical education and athletics. (1) In providing physical education courses and athletics and similar aid, benefits, or services to any of its students, a recipient to which this subpart applies may not discriminate on the basis of handicap. A recipient that offers physical education courses or that operates or sponsors intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics shall provide to qualified handicapped students an equal opportunity for participation in these activities. (2) A recipient may offer to handicapped students physical education and athletic activities that are separate or different only if separation of differentiation is consistent with the requirements of §8b.22(d) and only if no qualified handicapped student is denied the opportunity to compete for teams or to participate in courses that are not separate or different. (b) Counseling and placement services. A recipient to which this subpart applies that provides personal, academic, or vocational counseling guidance, or placement services to its students shall provide these services without discrimination on the basis of handicap. The recipient shall ensure that qualified handicapped students are not counseled toward more restrictive career objectives than are nonhandicapped students with similar interests and abilities. This requirement does not preclude a recipient from providing factual information about licensing and certification requirements that may present obstacles to handicapped persons in their pursuit of particular careers. (c) Social organizations. A recipient that provides significant assistance to fraternities, sororities, or similar organizations shall assure itself that the membership practices of such organizations do not permit discrimination otherwise prohibited by this subpart. The enforcement provisions applicable to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 found at §§8.7 through 8.15 of this subtitle shall apply to this part.
Title 15: Commerce and Foreign Trade
PART 8b—PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE HANDICAPPED IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Section Contents
§ 8b.1 Purpose.
§ 8b.2 Application.
§ 8b.3 Definitions.
§ 8b.4 Discrimination prohibited.
§ 8b.5 Assurances required.
§ 8b.6 Remedial action, voluntary action, and self-evaluation.
§ 8b.7 Designation of responsible employee and adoption of grievance procedures.
§ 8b.8 Notice.
§ 8b.9 Administrative requirements for small recipients.
§ 8b.10 Effect of state or local law or other requirements and effect of employment opportunities.
§ 8b.11 Discrimination prohibited.
§ 8b.12 Reasonable accommodation.
§ 8b.13 Employment criteria.
§ 8b.14 Preemployment inquiries.
§ 8b.15 Employment on ships.
§ 8b.16 Discrimination prohibited.
§ 8b.17 Existing facilities.
§ 8b.18 New construction.
§ 8b.19 Application of this subpart.
§ 8b.20 Admission and recruitment.
§ 8b.21 Treatment of students.
§ 8b.22 Academic adjustments.
§ 8b.23 Housing provided by the recipient.
§ 8b.24 Financial and employment assistance to students.
§ 8b.25 Nonacademic services.
§ 8b.26 Procedures.
Subpart A—General Provisions
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§ 8b.1 Purpose.
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§ 8b.2 Application.
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§ 8b.3 Definitions.
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§ 8b.4 Discrimination prohibited.
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§ 8b.5 Assurances required.
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§ 8b.6 Remedial action, voluntary action, and self-evaluation.
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§ 8b.7 Designation of responsible employee and adoption of grievance procedures.
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§ 8b.8 Notice.
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§ 8b.9 Administrative requirements for small recipients.
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§ 8b.10 Effect of state or local law or other requirements and effect of employment opportunities.
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Subpart B—Employment Practices
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§ 8b.11 Discrimination prohibited.
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§ 8b.12 Reasonable accommodation.
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§ 8b.13 Employment criteria.
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§ 8b.14 Preemployment inquiries.
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§ 8b.15 Employment on ships.
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Subpart C—Accessibility
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§ 8b.16 Discrimination prohibited.
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§ 8b.17 Existing facilities.
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§ 8b.18 New construction.
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Subpart D—Post Secondary Education
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§ 8b.19 Application of this subpart.
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§ 8b.20 Admission and recruitment.
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§ 8b.21 Treatment of students.
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§ 8b.22 Academic adjustments.
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§ 8b.23 Housing provided by the recipient.
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§ 8b.24 Financial and employment assistance to students.
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§ 8b.25 Nonacademic services.
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Subpart E—Procedures
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§ 8b.26 Procedures.
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