AAPD encourages you to complain about your concerns and issues as a consumer and as a tax-paying civic-minded advocate for a better world for people with disabilities. A well-written and timely letter of complaint and/or a filing with a federal or state agency accomplishes many things. Not only does a business learn about a problem, and could take remedial steps, but you may resolve a longstanding problem. Also, you may indirectly help multiple other consumers who did not take the time to make a complaint. Federal and state agencies may better administer and enforce their rules, or learn of a trend, when they hear from you about your specific problem.
The AAPD Complaint pages provide information and resources on how to complain about many specific disability-related issues such as in Employment, Government services, Housing, Public Services, Public Accommodations, Telecommunications, Transportation, and other consumer issues such as Business Practices, Product Safety, Food & Drug & Medical Devices, Finances & Banking, Insurance and other topics. The internet address (URL) for many online electronic complaint filing forms is also included, where an agency has one. Note that in many situations, you also have the right to file suit in court and you should seek legal advice for this option.
AAPD does not take up any legal cases and provides no technical or legal assistance to individuals and their complaints. However, you may send a copy of any written complaint to us, if you would like AAPD to know about your concern. Or write and let us know of a victory: AAPD, 1629 K Street NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20006, Attn: Consumer Complaints.
Complaints about discriminatory hiring or other employment practices, such as in training or when on-the-job
To file a complaint (referred to as “a charge” at EEOC), follow closely the instructions on EEOC website.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors.
Section 508 requires the government to purchase and use disability accessible electronic and information technology that is used by its employees and members of the public.
Complaints can be filed with the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) using the online form.
HOUSING
The Fair Housing Act, FHA (non-discrimination in housing)
For complaints about discrimination involving private housing, federally funded housing, and state and local government funded housing. This includes unlawful selling or renting practices and activities associated with housing such as financing, zoning practices, new construction design, and advertising. Buyers or renters with disabilities, or an individual associated with the buyer or renter with a disability, can complain.
ADA Title III (non-discrimination by private entities)
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ)
Complaints about lack of accessibility at restaurants, hotels, stores, hospitals, doctors’ or dentists’ offices, places of public display, or collection, recreation sites, educational institutions, social service center establishments, gyms, commercial facilities such as warehouses, factories, and office buildings, private transportation services, and licensing and testing practices.
To file an ADA Title III complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), follow closely the instructions.
PUBLIC SERVICES
ADA Title II (non-discrimination in state and local government services)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ)
Complaints about lack of accessibility such as inaccessible state office or local government buildings or programs, e.g. discrimination during jury duty, public hearings, recreation programs, etc.
Complaints about telephone products and services (wireless and wireline), such as lack of disability accessible equipment and services, or lack of hearing aid compatibility, or about bad customer service, billing problems, unwanted charges on bills, unwanted faxes, or about Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Note: There is no requirement to have a disability to file a disability complaint at the FCC.
Complaints about lack of closed captioning: FCC regulations require consumers to first complain in writing to the TV distributor (that is, your cable or satellite TV company, or to the TV station) before complaining to the FCC.
See also Tips on Filing Closed Captioning Complaints
TRANSPORTATION
ADA Titles II and III, Air Carriers Access Act and Section 508 of Rehabilitation Act
Contact the business involved directly with a Letter of Complaint. Identifying yourself as a person with a specific disability may expedite your complaint, but this is optional.
Sample consumer complaint letter.
FTC regulates deceptive or unfair trade practices. This includes unsolicited email (“spam”), Equal Credit Opportunity, care labels in clothes, product warranties, stickers showing energy costs of home appliances, truthful advertising, price fixing, telemarketing sales. They also administer the telephone Do-Not-Call list.
Or call DOT Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236 or TTY (800) 424-9153 or 1-202-484-5238 to speak to an NHTSA representative.
FOODS, DRUGS, MEDICINES, COSMETICS, & MEDICAL DEVICES
Federal Agency: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Report adverse reactions or other problems with products, e.g., incorrect labeling & misrepresentation to FDA who regulates foods, medicines, medical devices (e.g., bandages, hearing aids, artificial hearts), blood products, vaccines, cosmetics, veterinary drugs, animal feed, and electronic products that emit radiation (such as microwave ovens and video monitors).
Send complaints to the Commissioner of Insurance for your state. To determine the name of your Commissioner and the agency address, search your state’s government website, OR click on your state on the map provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) on their website.
The SEC protects investors, maintains market integrity and facilitates capital formation. It accepts consumer complaints about problems with cold calling, buy or sell orders, about brokerage firms or brokers, or about financial or investment advisors, with mutual funds or 401(K) or pension or retirement funds, false or misleading company financial reports or Initial Public Offering (IPO) information, with manipulation of stock price or volume, fraudulent or unregistered offers or sales, financial privacy violations, other. SEC Online complaint forms.
Complaints against banks, such as if a bank has been unfair or misleading, discriminated against you in lending, or violated a banking law or regulation, can be sent to the Federal Reserve Bank. Information on consumer protection banking laws.
MEDICAL DEVICES, BIOLOGICALS, AND SIMILAR PRODUCTS
Federal Agency: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)regulates many medical devices and products. Consumers should report serious adverse events, potential and actual product use errors, and product quality problems associated with the use of FDA-regulated medical devices, drugs, biologics (including human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products), cosmetics and special nutritional products.
If a pharmacy, health plan, hospital, or medical practitioner improperly shares your health information, they may have violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) (click for FAQs). The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the federal agency with the power to enforce this Act, has a new website that shows how it enforces the federal health care privacy standards. You can also file a complaint on their website.
File your complaint using the information on the website or contact HHS by phone 1-800-368-1019; or by TTY: 1-800-537-7697; or via Email. For additional information on HIPAA or on your healthcare civil rights, contact the HHS Office for Civil Rights/HIPAA as follows: 1-800-368-1019 - Civil Rights; 1-866-627-7748 – HIPAA; TTY: 1-800-537-7697; Email: OCRMail@hhs.gov.
If you file a complaint at HHS and you don’t mind sharing this with AAPD, please let us know. We believe there may be more and more such concerns as health records become more and more "digitized." Contact either
or .
CPSC handles complaints about products such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals and other common products; has the power to recall products.
UTILITIES (GAS, ELECTRICITY AND INTRASTATE TELEPHONE SERVICE)
Send complaints to the Commissioner of Public Utilities for your state. To determine the name of the Commissioner and the agency address, search your state’s government website, OR locate your state on the map on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) website. Most states have an online complaint form.
Every state has a consumer protection agency, and many cities and counties have similar agencies. To find the consumer protection office in your state, county or city, visit the federal Consumer Action website.
Also consider filing a complaint directly, using the state’s electronic online form found on the agency’s home page (search using “complaint” or “consumer information” as a keyword.
PRIVATE SECTOR
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Consumer information 'How to Check Up on a Business or Charity' or 'File a Complaint.' These services are on the BBB website.
