LeadingAge submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, on November 13 for the Rehabilitation Act as Section 504 prohibits recipients of federal funds, like most provider members, from discrimination on the basis of disability. The section outlines prohibitions and requirements for compliance.

A recent proposed regulatory update contained requirements for accessibility in medical equipment, website and applications, while outlining practices like stereotypes and biases that commonly lead to discriminatory policies in treatment and social value assessments. LeadingAge was supportive of the proposal, while commenting on the inclusion of community integration requirements. We don’t feel this is a likely problem but did feel it important to comment in the event of evolving concepts of integration, similar to those experienced by our members with the Home and Community Based Settings Rule.