News and Press Releases
PWDF Issues Only (Nationwide) Comments Addressing People with Mental and/or Developmental Disabilities
In 1978, Congress mandated all federal agencies to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 794). Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires Federal agencies to provide meaningful access to their programs and activities to individuals with disabilities.1 Now, 35 years later, the Social Security Administration has published proposed rules for its compliance with Section 504 in its “Proposed Section 504 Business Process Vision to Provide Individuals with Disabilities Meaningful Access to Social Security Programs and Activities, Ver. 3.1.” For the first time, the Social Security Administration has publicly stated that they have developed policies for effectively communicating with people with “psychological or emotional” disabilities.
People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF) submitted two comments on these proposed rules. The first, submitted December 17, 2013, address reasonable accommodations as to effective communications. The second, submitted December 23, 2013, address reasonable accommodations as to work reviews.
1Agency Proposed Business Process Vision Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 78 Fed. Reg. 70088 (Nov. 22, 2013).