The Department of Labor recently debuted its Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor, an online tool intended to help employers determine which federal disability nondiscrimination laws apply to their organization, and their responsibilities under each law.  Employers answer a series of questions about their business, then the Advisor generates a list of applicable disability nondiscrimination laws.  The Advisor also includes a “Guide to Employing People with Disabilities,” which outlines resources available to help employers comply with disability nondiscrimination laws.

While it is important to note that the Advisor does not address all federal disability nondiscrimination laws, it does address many of the major federal laws, including:

• Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
• Title II, Subtitle A, of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
• Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (only as it pertains to federal financial assistance)
• Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
• The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended

We encourage our clients to use the Advisor as a helpful guide and good starting point for understanding these laws.  The Advisor is not, however, a substitute for legal advice on all federal, state, and/or local disability nondiscrimination laws.  Employers should consult counsel with any specific questions.