What does Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibit?

• A. Prevents federal employment discrimination, enforced by the EEOC.
• B. Prevents federal contractors from employment discrimination.
• C. Ensures equal access to federal IT (employees and public).
• D. Establishes disability-related tax incentives.

Answer: (A)

Section 501 targets federal employment. It prohibits discrimination based on disability in hiring, promotion, compensation, and other terms and conditions of federal employment, and it requires federal agencies to provide reasonable accommodations and pursue affirmative action to increase opportunities for people with disabilities. The enforcement for these federal-sector claims is handled by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which investigates complaints and ensures compliance. This is what distinguishes it from other provisions: federal contractors’ issues are addressed under a different section and enforcement body, IT accessibility for federal employees and the public is governed by a separate section focused on accessibility of technology, and there aren’t disability-related tax incentives tied to this act.