Section 501 Protections

Section 501 Protections for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Federal Employees

As a deaf and hard of hearing federal employee, federal laws protect you and your rights in the workplace. However, these are not normal times, and we recognize that what should happen is not always what you are experiencing. This tip series breaks down key protections and what to do if your rights are violated. You are not alone—we are here to support you.

Section 501 Still Applies to Federal Employees with Disabilities
Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act requires your agency to provide reasonable accommodations to allow you to do your job, unless doing so would cause “undue hardship.” Accommodations may include:

✔️ ASL interpreters for meetings
✔️ CART captioning for meetings
✔️ Accessible communication within platforms and software
✔️ Flexible scheduling or telework options for disability-related needs

No Executive Orders and changes in policies can undo the requirements of Section 501. Laws can only be changed by Congress.

No Retaliation for Requesting Accommodations

It is illegal for your employer to punish you for requesting or using accommodations. Retaliation may include:

❌ Being excluded from meetings or projects
❌ Receiving lower performance reviews without justification
❌ Being reassigned to a less desirable position or being excluded from a promotion
❌ Facing a hostile work environment
❌ Being targeted for layoff or terminated from your job just because you are using accommodations

What to Do If Your Rights Are Violated

If you experience being denied accommodation, discrimination, or retaliation, you can take the following action(s):

- Contact your agency’s EEO Officer.
- DO NOT WAIT! File a complaint through your agency’s EEO office within 45 days of the issue.
- Seek support from attorneys who specialize in employment cases, but even with an attorney’s help, your complaint must go through the EEO first.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, PROTECT YOURSELF

Toolkit - Section 501 Protections