The Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCCP) has revised the rules implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, which applies to certain federal contractors.  The revised rules, which are effective on March 24, 2014 require covered federal contractors to invite each job applicant to voluntarily disclose (“self-identify”) whether he or she has a disability as defined by the Rehabilitation Act at the pre-offer and post-offer phases of the application process.  Covered federal contractors also must invite their current employees to voluntarily self-identify any disabilities every five years.

The White House Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs recently approved the form that federal contractors must use to invite applicants and employees to voluntarily self-identify as individuals with disabilities.  The final OMB-approved Form CC-305 includes name and date fields for users and explains the purpose of the form, defines “disability,” and discusses reasonable accommodation.