Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals based on disability in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance or are operated by a Federal agency. HHS is proposing to update the regulations to clarify important requirements that are not currently addressed and improve consistency with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act, amendments to the Rehabilitation Act, and important case law.
The proposed rule includes provisions that:
- Make sure medical treatment decisions are not based on biases or stereotypes about individuals with disabilities, or beliefs that an individual will be a burden on others or that the life of an individual with a disability has less value than the life of a person without a disability;
- Clarify requirements for web, mobile, and kiosk accessibility;
- Establish enforceable standards for accessible medical equipment;
- Don’t allow the use of methods that place a lower value on life extension for individuals with disabilities when that method is used to limit access or to deny aids, benefits, and services;
- Clarify requirements to provide services in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of individuals with disabilities.