The U.S. Department of Energy has placed a 60-day postponement on the Direct Final Rule for building Section 504. This Direct Final Rule would remove accessibility requirements and standards for new DOE-funded buildings, weakening protections for those with disabilities.
The Direct Final Rule was due to take effect on July 15, 2025. However, the Rule has been postponed for 60 days for further review. Its postponement is a direct result of many disability rights organizations and members of the public voicing their opposition to this Rule. More than 20,000 comments were submitted against the rule. Because of the public opposition and the postponement, the Department is now required to review the comments submitted, which may prompt further evaluation or revision of the rule.
While the postponement is not a final withdrawal of this Rule, it is important progress in protecting accessibility rights.
Posted on July 14th, 2025