Comments Needed to Stop republican Attack on Section 503 Proposal will gut rules about federal contractors hiring disabled workers

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This is an article about a republican attack on Section 503. Section 503 is a rule in the United States to support disabled people working for federal contractors. The government is now trying delete the rule that requires contractors to collect and analyze information that workers can voluntarily provide about disability. It is also trying to delete the rule that federal contractors should try to have 7% people with disabilities in their workforce. The public can file comments opposing this change until Tuesday September 2.

Image from DREDF webiste of people working around two tables, including people using wheelchairs

Comments are due on September 2d to stop a republican attack on a longstanding rule in the United States called Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 503 helps disabled people get hired by federal contractors.

Here’s what the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) says about section 503 and the proposed rollback:

Section 503 requires businesses that have contracts with the federal government to “take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.” Section 503 regulations require that businesses with federal contractors use voluntary surveys to track their progress in hiring and employing people with disabilities. The regulations also include a goal for contractors — businesses with federal contracts should try to have a workforce that includes 7% people with disabilities.

A new proposal from the Administration would delete these requirements. This will harm the employment of people with disabilities. Learn about Section 503 and how to defend it.DREDF Section 503 information page

DREDF has made it easy for the public to file comments to stop the government from getting rid of the Section 503 requirements. There is a link to sample comments you can use on the Section 503 page linked above, including a plain language sample. The sample sums up the problem with the republican proposal:

The new proposal would delete the rule to collect and analyze information. It would delete the rule to try to have 7% people with disabilities. This would be bad for people with disabilities. DREDF sample comment to protect Section 503

Comments must be filed by Tuesday September 2.

There are two different ways to submit your comment:

To learn more about the importance of Section 503 to hiring disabled workers in the US federal government, DREDF has posted a webinar with a transcript and slides you can download here. The image at the top of this post is also from the DREDF Section 503 page. Thank you DREDF!