General Provisions

14 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart 1251.1
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

14 C.F.R. § 1251.100 Purpose and broad coverage.

(a) Purpose. This part effectuates section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which is designed to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. (b) Broad scope of coverage. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008's purpose (ADA Amendments Act) of reinstating a broad scope of protection under the ADA and section 504, the definition of “disability” applicable to this part shall be construed broadly in favor of expansive coverage to the maximum extent permitted by the terms of this part. The primary object of attention in cases brought under this part should be whether entities covered under section 504 have complied with their obligations and whether discrimination has occurred, not whether the individual meets the definition of disability. The question of whether an individual meets the definition of disability under this part should not demand extensive analysis.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.101 Application.

This part applies to each recipient of Federal financial assistance from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and to each program or activity that receives such assistance.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.102 Definitions

As used in this part, the term: (a) 2004 ADAAG means the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities requirements set forth in appendices B and D to 36 CFR part 1191 (2009). (b) 2010 Standards means the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, which consist of the 2004 ADAAG and the requirements contained in 28 CFR 35.151. (c) Applicant for assistance means one who submits an application, request, or plan required to be approved either by a NASA official or by a recipient, as a condition to becoming a recipient. (d) Associate Administrator means the Associate Administrator for Diversity and Equal Opportunity Programs for NASA. (e) Auxiliary aids and services means services or devices that enable persons with sensory, manual, or speech disabilities to have an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, programs or activities conducted by the recipient. Auxiliary aids and services include: (1) Qualified interpreters onsite or through video remote interpreting (VRI) services; notetakers; real-time computer-aided transcription services; written materials; exchange of written notes; telephone handset amplifiers; assistive listening devices; assistive listening systems; telephones compatible with hearing aids; closed caption decoders; open and closed captioning, including real-time captioning; voice, text, and video-based telecommunications products and systems, including text telephones (TTYs), videophones, and captioned telephones, or equally effective telecommunications devices; videotext displays; accessible electronic and information technology; or other effective methods of making aurally delivered information available to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing; (2) Qualified readers; taped texts; audio recordings; Brailled materials and displays; screen reader software; magnification software; optical readers; secondary auditory programs (SAP); large print materials; accessible electronic and information technology; or other effective methods of making visually delivered materials available to individuals who are blind or have low vision; (3) Acquisition or modification of equipment or devices; and (4) Other similar services and actions. (f) Direct threat means a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a change to policies, practices or procedures, or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services as provided in § 1251.110 of this part. (g) Disability means the definition given that term in the Department of Justice's regulation implementing title II of the ADA at 28 CFR part 35. (h) Drug means a controlled substance as defined in schedules I through V of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812). (i) Facility means all or any portion of buildings, structures, equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, or other real or personal property or interest in such property. (j) Federal financial assistance means any grant, loan, contract (other than a procurement contract or a contract of insurance or guaranty), or any other arrangement by which the agency provides or otherwise makes available assistance in the form of: (1) Funds; (2) Services of Federal personnel; or (3) Real and personal property or any interest in or use of such property, including: (i) Transfers or leases of such property for less than fair market value or for reduced consideration; and (ii) Proceeds from a subsequent transfer or lease of such property if the Federal share of its fair market value is not returned to the Federal Government. (k) Illegal use of drugs means the use of one or more drugs, the possession or distribution of which is unlawful under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812). The term illegal use of drugs does not include the use of a drug taken under supervision by a licensed health care professional, or other uses authorized by the Controlled Substances Act or other provisions of Federal law. (l) Individual with a disability means any individual who has a disability as defined in 28 CFR part 35. The term “individual with a disability” does not include an individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs, when the recipient acts on the basis of such use. (m) Program or activity means all of the operations of any entity described in paragraphs (m)(1) through (4) of this section, any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance: (1)(i) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or (ii) The entity of such State or local government that distributes such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the case of assistance to a State or local government; (2)(i) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or a public system of higher education; or (ii) A local educational agency (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801), system of vocational education, or other school system; (3)(i) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private organization, or an entire sole proprietorship— (A) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or (B) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and recreation; or (ii) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship; or (4) Any other entity which is established by two or more of the entities described in paragraph (m)(1), (2), or (3) of this section. (n) Qualified individual with a disability means: (1) With respect to any aid, benefit, or service, provided under a program or activity subject to this part, an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodations in rules policies, or procedures, the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision auxiliary aids or services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for participation in, or receipt from, that aid, benefit, or service, and (2) With respect to employment, the definition given that term in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's regulation at 29 CFR part 1630, implementing Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which regulation is made applicable to this part by § 1251.2. (o) Recipient means any state or its political subdivision, any instrumentality of a state or its political subdivision, any public or private agency, institution, organization, or other entity, or any person to which Federal financial assistance is extended directly or through another recipient, including any successor, assignee, or transferee of a recipient, but excluding the ultimate beneficiary of the assistance. (p) Section 504 means section 504 of the Act. (q) The Act means the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93-112, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 794 et seq.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.103 Discrimination prohibited.

(a) General. No qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity which receives Federal financial assistance. (b) Discriminatory actions prohibited. (1) A recipient, in providing any aid, benefits, or services, may not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, on the basis of disability: (i) Deny a qualified individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service; (ii) Afford a qualified individual with a disability an opportunity to participate in or benefit from aid, benefit, or service that is not equal to that afforded others; (iii) Provide a qualified individual with a disability with an aid, benefit, or service that is not as effective as that provided to others; (iv) Provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to individuals with disabilities or to any class of individuals with disabilities unless such action is necessary to provide qualified individuals with disabilities with aid, benefits, or services that are as effective as those provided to others; (v) Aid or perpetuate discrimination against a qualified individual with a disability by providing significant assistance to an agency, organization, or person that discriminates on the basis of disability in providing any aid, benefit, or service to beneficiaries of the recipient's program or activity; (vi) Deny a qualified individual with a disability the opportunity to participate as a member of planning or advisory boards; or (vii) Otherwise limit a qualified individual with a disability in the enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by others receiving an aid, benefit, or service. (2) For purposes of this part, aids, benefits, and services, to be equally effective, are not required to produce the identical result or level of achievement for individuals with disabilities and individuals without disabilities, but must afford individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit, or to reach the same level of achievement, in the most integrated setting appropriate to the person's needs. (3) Recipients shall take appropriate steps to ensure that no individual with disability is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance because of the absence of auxiliary aids for individuals with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills. (4) Despite the existence of separate or different aid, benefits, or services provided in accordance with this part, a recipient may not deny a qualified individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in such programs or activities that are not separate or different. (5) A recipient may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration: (i) That have the effect of subjecting qualified individuals with disabilities to discrimination of the basis of disability; (ii) That have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the recipient's program or activity with respect to individuals with disabilities; or (iii) That perpetuate the discrimination of another recipient if both recipients are subject to common administrative control or are agencies of the same State. (6) In determining the site or location of a facility, an applicant for assistance or a recipient may not make selections: (i) That have the effect of excluding individuals with disabilities from, denying them the benefits of, or otherwise subjecting them to discrimination under any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance; or (ii) That have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing the accomplishment of the objectives of the program or activity with respect to individuals with disabilities. (7) As used in this section, the aid, benefit, or service provided under a program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance includes any aid, benefit, or service provided in or through a facility that has been constructed, expanded, altered, leased or rented, or otherwise acquired, in whole or in part, with Federal financial assistance. (8) Recipients shall take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with their applicants, employees, and beneficiaries are available to persons with impaired vision and hearing. (c) Aid, benefits, or services limited by Federal law. The exclusion of individuals without disabilities from aid, benefits, or services limited by Federal statute of Executive order to individuals with disabilities from aid, benefits, or services limited by Federal statute or Executive order to a different class of individuals with disabilities is not prohibited by this part.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.104 Assurances required.

(a) Assurances. An applicant for Federal financial assistance to which this part applies shall submit an assurance, on a form specified by the Associate Administrator, that the program or activity will be operated in compliance with this part. An applicant may incorporate these assurances by reference in subsequent applications to NASA. (b) Duration of obligation. (1) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended in the form of real property or to provide real property or structures on the property, the assurance will obligate the recipient or, in the case of a subsequent transfer, the transferee, for the period during which the real property or structures are used for the purpose for which Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits. (2) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended to provide personal property, the assurance will obligate the recipient for the period during which it retains ownership or possession of the property. (3) In all other cases, the assurance will obligate the recipient for the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended. (c) Covenants. (1) Where Federal financial assistance is provided in the form of real property or interest in the property from NASA, the instrument effecting or recording this transfer shall contain a covenant running with the land to assure nondiscrimination for the period during which the real property is used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits. (2) Where no transfer of property is involved but property is purchased or improved with Federal financial assistance, the recipient shall agree to include the covenant described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section in the instrument effecting or recording any subsequent transfer of the property. (3) Where Federal financial assistance is provided in the form of real property or interest in the property from NASA, the covenant shall also include a condition coupled with a right to be reserved by NASA to revert title to the property in the event of a breach of the covenant. If a transferee of real property proposes to mortgage or otherwise encumber the real property as security for financing construction of new, or improvement of existing facilities on the property for the purposes for which the property was transferred, the Associate Administrator may, upon request of the transferee and if necessary to accomplish such financing and upon such conditions as he or she deems appropriate, agree to forbear the exercise of such right to revert title for so long as the lien of such mortgage or other encumbrance remains effective.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.105 Remedial action, voluntary action, and self-evaluation.

(a) Remedial action. (1) If the Associate Administrator finds that a recipient has discriminated against persons on the basis of disability in violation of section 504 or this part, the recipient shall take such remedial action as the Associate Administrator deems necessary to overcome the effects to the discrimination. (2) Where a recipient is found to have discriminated against persons on the basis of disability in violation of section 504 or this part and where another recipient exercises control over the recipient that has discriminated, the Associate Administrator, where appropriate, may require either or both recipients to take remedial action. (3) The Associate Administrator may, where necessary to overcome the effects of discrimination in violation of section 504 or this part, require a recipient to take remedial action: (i) With respect to individuals with disabilities who are no longer participants in the recipient's program or activity but who were participants in the program or activity when such discrimination occurred; or (ii) With respect to individuals with disabilities who would have been participants in the program or activity had the discrimination not occurred; or (iii) With respect to individuals with disabilities presently in the program or activity, but not receiving full benefits or equal and integrated treatment within the program or activity. (b) Voluntary action. A recipient may take steps, in addition to any action that is required by this part, to overcome the effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation in the recipient's program or activity by qualified individuals with disabilities. (c) Self-evaluation. (1) A recipient shall, within 1 year of the effective date of this part; or within 1 year of first becoming a recipient: (i) Evaluate, with the assistance of interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, its current policies and practices and the effects thereof that do not or may not meet the requirements of this part; (ii) Modify, after consultation with interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, any policies and practices that do not meet the requirements of this part; and (iii) Take, after consultation with interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, appropriate remedial steps to eliminate the effects of any discrimination that resulted from adherence to these policies and practices. (2) A recipient that employs 15 or more persons shall, for at least 3 years, follow completion of the evaluation required under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, maintain on file, make available for public inspection, and provide to the Associate Administrator upon request: (i) A list of the interested persons consulted; (ii) A description of areas examined and any problems identified; and (iii) A description of any modifications made and of any remedial steps taken.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.106 Designation of responsible employee and adoption of grievance procedures.

(a) Designation of responsible employee. A recipient that employs 15 or more persons shall designate at least one person to coordinate its efforts to comply with this part. (b) Adoption of grievance procedures. A recipient that employs 15 or more persons shall adopt grievance procedures that incorporate appropriate due process standards and that provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by this part. Such procedures need not to be established with respect to complaints from applicants for employment or from applicants for admission to postsecondary educational institutions.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.107 Notice.

(a) A recipient that employs 15 or more persons shall take appropriate initial and continuing steps to notify participants, beneficiaries, applicants, and employees, including those with vision or hearing disabilities, and unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the recipient that it does not discriminate on the basis of disability in violation of section 504 and this part. The notification shall state, where appropriate, that the recipient does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The notification shall also include an identification of the responsible employee designated pursuant to § 1251.106(a). A recipient shall make the initial notification required by this paragraph within 90 days of the effective date of this part. Methods of initial and continuing notification may include the posting of notices, transmission via electronic mail or text message, publication on the recipient's internet Web site, or in newspapers and magazines, placement of notices in recipient's publication, and distribution of memoranda or other written communications. (b) If a recipient publishes or uses recruitment materials or publications containing general information that it makes available to participants, beneficiaries, applicants, or employees, it shall include in those materials or publications a statement of the policy described in paragraph (a) of this section. A recipient may meet the requirement of this section and this paragraph either by including appropriate inserts in existing materials and publications or by revising and reprinting the materials and publications.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.108 Administrative requirements for small recipients.

The Associate Administrator may require any recipient with fewer than 15 employees, or any class of such recipients, to comply with §§ 1251.106 and 1251.107, in whole or in part, when the Associate Administrator finds a violation of this part or finds that such compliance will not significantly impair the ability of the recipient or class of recipients to provide benefits or services.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.109 Effect of State or local law or other requirements and effect of employment opportunities.

(a) The obligation to comply with this part is not obviated or alleviated by the existence of any state or local law or other requirement that, on the basis of disability, imposes prohibitions or limits upon the eligibility of qualified individuals with disabilities to receive services or to practice any occupation or profession. (b) The obligation to comply with this part is not obviated or alleviated because employment opportunities in any occupation or profession are or may be more limited for individuals with disabilities than for individuals without disabilities.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.110 Direct threat.

(a) This part does not require a recipient to permit an individual to participate in or benefit from the services, programs, or activities of that recipient when that individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. (b) In determining whether an individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, a recipient must make an individualized assessment, based on reasonable judgment that relies on current medical knowledge or on the best available objective evidence, to ascertain: The nature, duration, and severity of the risk; the probability that the potential injury will actually occur; and whether reasonable accommodations in policies, practices, or procedures or the provision of auxiliary aids or services will mitigate the risk.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.111 Reasonable accommodation.

A recipient shall make reasonable accommodations in policies, practices, or procedures when such accommodations are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless the recipient can demonstrate that making the accommodations would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity or result in an undue financial and administrative burden.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.112 Communications.

(a) A recipient shall take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with applicants, participants, beneficiaries, members of the public, and companions with disabilities, are as effective as communications with others. (b)(1) A recipient shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids or services where necessary to afford qualified individuals with disabilities, including applicants, participants, beneficiaries, and members of the public, an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a program or activity of the recipient. (i) In determining what type of auxiliary aid or service is necessary, the recipient shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individual with a disability. (ii) The recipient need not provide individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices of a personal nature. (2) Where the recipient communicates with applicants and beneficiaries by telephone, telecommunication devices for deaf persons (TTY's) or equally effective telecommunication systems shall be used to communicate with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing or have speech impairments. (c) This section does not require the recipient to take any action that it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a program or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. In those circumstances where the recipient believes that the proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the recipient has the burden of proving that compliance with § 1251.112 would result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the chief executive officer of the recipient or his or her designee after considering all of the recipient's resources available for use in the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion. If an action required to comply with this section would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the recipient shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with disabilities receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.

14 C.F.R. § 1251.113 Illegal Use of Drugs

(a) General. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this part does not prohibit discrimination against an individual based on that individual's current illegal use of drugs. (2) A recipient shall not discriminate on the basis of illegal use of drugs against an individual who is not engaging in current illegal use of drugs and who— (i) Has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program or has otherwise been rehabilitated successfully; (ii) Is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program; or (iii) Is erroneously regarded as engaging in such use. (b) Health and drug rehabilitation services. (1) A recipient shall not deny health services, or services provided in connection with drug rehabilitation, to an individual on the basis of that individual's current illegal use of drugs, if the individual is otherwise entitled to such services. (2) A drug rehabilitation or treatment program may deny participation to individuals who engage in illegal use of drugs while they are in the program. (c) Drug testing. (1) This part does not prohibit a recipient from adopting or administering reasonable policies or procedures, including but not limited to drug testing, designed to ensure that an individual who formerly engaged in the illegal use of drugs is not now engaging in current illegal use of drugs. (2) Nothing in this paragraph (c) shall be construed to encourage, prohibit, restrict, or authorize the conduct of testing for the illegal use of drugs.

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