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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Section 504
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A quick definition of Section 504:
Section 504: Section 504 is a law that helps protect people with disabilities from being treated unfairly. It says that organizations and governments that get money from the government can't discriminate against people with disabilities. Discrimination means treating someone differently because of their disability. To be protected by Section 504, a person must be able to do the job or use the service, except for their disability. Their disability must also make it hard for them to do important things like walking or seeing. Employers and organizations must try to make changes to help people with disabilities do their job or use their service. These changes should be reasonable and fair. What is reasonable depends on the situation, but smaller businesses and organizations have less money to make changes than bigger ones.
A more thorough explanation:
Section 504 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that protects people with disabilities in the United States. It prevents discrimination based on disability in employment, access to services, and benefits by organizations and governments that receive federal funding.
To be protected by Section 504, a person must be qualified for a job or service in all other respects, and their disability must limit a "major life activity" such as walking or seeing. Employers and service providers must make "reasonable" accommodations for a person's disability so they can work or receive services.
For example, if a person with a visual impairment applies for a job, the employer may need to provide them with a screen reader or other assistive technology to help them do their work. Or, if a student with a physical disability needs to access a classroom on the second floor of a building, the school may need to install an elevator or provide alternative accommodations.
What counts as "reasonable" accommodations can vary depending on the situation. For example, a small business may have less capacity to accommodate than a larger organization. However, courts generally recognize certain standards for what is reasonable.