Federal Government Employment

A strong federal workforce is an inclusive federal workforce, one welcoming of the skills and talents of all qualified individuals. Reflecting this, the Federal Government has taken several steps over the years to increase the representation of people with disabilities in its workforce nationwide.

The underlying foundation for these actions is Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination against and requires affirmative action in employment of people with disabilities in the federal sector. Since the passage of the Rehabilitation Act, various additional actions have served to strengthen this commitment, including updates to Section 501 and most recently, Executive Order 14035, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal Government, which was signed by President Biden on June 25, 2021.

• Executive Order (EO) 14035 Info Center
• Section 501 Info Center
• Rehabilitation Act (Sections 501, 503, 504 and 508)
• Federal Agency Employment Strategies: A Framework for Disability Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (2022 Edition)
• Federal Exchange on Employment & Disability (FEED)
• Federal Agency Affirmative Action Plans (AAPs) Directory
  • Defense National Guard Bureau AAPs Directory
• Reasonable Accommodations
• Schedule A Hiring Authority
  • Resource Guide: Schedule A Excepted Service Hiring Authority for People with Disabilities
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Schedule A Excepted Service Hiring Authority for People with Disabilities
• Workforce Recruitment Program