• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Minnesota Council On Disability

Your Policy, Training and Technical Resource

Search

  • About
    • About MCD
    • Additional Information
    • Annual Agency Reports
    • Governing Council
    • Our Mission
    • Staff
    • Statute & Responsibilities
  • Blog & News
    • Blog
    • MCD in the News
  • Guardianship Task Force
    • About the Task Force
    • Meeting Minutes
  • Public Policy
    • About Our Public Policy
    • MCD 2025 Legislative Agenda
    • Bill Tracker
    • Legislative Updates
    • Public Policy Letters
    • Advocate for Legislation
  • Technical Assistance
    • Access for Businesses
    • Accessible Housing
    • Digital Accessibility
    • Disability Parking
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Employment
    • Laws & Regulations
    • Service Animals
    • Snow Removal
    • Training
    • Transportation
    • Voting
  • Events & Outreach
    • Community Outreach
    • MCD Events
  • Additional Resources
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Technical Assistance / Laws and Regulations

Laws and Regulations

"Know Your Rights" spelled out in letter tilesIn order to help you understand your rights and responsibilities, we provide a list of federal and state laws and regulations that impact people with disabilities.

Understanding Your Rights & Responsibilities (PDF)

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, State and local government services, and telecommunications.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Disability Parking Laws

Minnesota’s disability parking laws and procedures make businesses and public buildings more accessible to people with mobility disabilities.  For more information on the disability parking laws, refer to the following Minnesota statutes:

  • 169.345 PARKING PRIVILEGE FOR PHYSICALLY DISABLED
  • 169.346 DISABILITY PARKING AREAS; CRITERIA, ENFORCEMENT
  • 168.021 PLATES FOR PHYSICALLY DISABLED PERSONS

Learn more about Disability Parking.

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

On August 27, 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced a Final Rule that makes changes to the regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 503), at 41 CFR Part 60-741. Read an overview of the Section 503 rules or visit the Federal Register site, when they are published.

Fact Sheet: Final Rule on Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (PDF)

Human Rights Act

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) is a neutral state agency that investigates charges of illegal discrimination, ensures that businesses seeking state contracts are in compliance with equal opportunity requirements, and strives to eliminate discrimination by educating Minnesotans about their rights and responsibilities under the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA).

Minnesota Human Rights Act

Air Carrier Access Act

The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel.   The Department of Transportation has a rule defining the rights of passengers and the obligations of airlines under this law. This rule applies to all flights of U.S. airlines, and to flights to or from the United States by foreign airlines.

Air Carrier Access Act

Page last updated: February 26, 2025

Footer

Find Us

Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD)
1600 University Avenue W, Suite 8
Saint Paul, MN 55104

For accommodation requests, including requesting any document on this website in an alternative format, visit our ADA Title II page.

Contact Us

Phone: 651-361-7800 (VRS)
Toll-free: 1-800-945-8913 (VRS)
Fax: 651-296-5935

Email: council.disability@state.mn.us

Stay Connected

Sign up for the latest MCD news and updates sent to your inbox.

Follow Us

MCD on Facebook MCD on Twitter MCD on YouTube

Accessibility of Our Site · Privacy Notice · Site Map
© 2025 · Minnesota Council On Disability. All rights reserved. · Built by Westwords