Federal Laws

The Federal Government has passed laws that deal with various topics related to hearing loss. In recent years, the focus has been on ensuring access by all Americans to the various aspects of mainstream American culture. The focus has been on fundamental segments, including employment, education, and telecommunications. The most significant laws include;

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first significant law in the attempt to prohibit discrimination based on disability.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) extended the protections of Section 504 to additional segments of American society. It also mandated specific requirements for certain organizations.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) updated a previous law called the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which established requirements for the public education of children with disabilities.

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 specified amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that have a profound impact on the rights of persons with disabilities. One especially important provision concerns Section 508, which specifies that Federal government information must be accessible to people with disabilities.

Section 255 of the Communications Act of 1996 requires telecommunications manufacturers and service providers to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities, if readily achievable. 

The Disabled Access Credit provides small businesses with tax relief for expenditures that provide accessibility to people with disabilities.

August 2003 - Here's a great report on Brenda Battat's 2003 SHHH convention workshop on laws that affect telecommunications access.

December 2007 - Legal Rights of Individuals with Hearing Loss

June 2008 - Markey Bill Explained in Simple Language

October 2010 - What S. 3304 Will Do For Us - Section-by-Section Summary

October 2010 - 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act Signing Ceremony