[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR6.160]

[Page 124-125]
 
                     TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
 
                   CHAPTER I--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
 
PART 6_ENFORCEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAP IN 
 
Sec. 6.160  Communications.

    (a) The Commission shall take appropriate steps to ensure effective 
communication with applicants, participants, personnel of other Federal 
entities, and members of the public.
    (1) The Commission shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids where 
necessary to afford an individual with handicaps an equal opportunity to 
participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a program or activity 
conducted by the Commission.
    (i) In determining what type of auxiliary aid is necessary, the 
Commission shall give primary consideration to the requests of the 
individual with handicaps.
    (ii) The Commission need not provide individually prescribed 
devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices of a 
personal nature.
    (2) Where the Commission communicates with applicants and 
beneficiaries by telephone, telecommunication devices for deaf persons 
(TDD's), or equally effective telecommunication systems shall be used.
    (b) The Commission shall ensure that interested persons, including 
persons with impaired vision or hearing, can obtain information as to 
the existence and location of accessible services, activities, and 
facilities.
    (c) The Commission shall provide signs at a primary entrance to each 
of its inaccessible facilities, directing users to a location at which 
they can obtain information about accessible facilities. The 
international symbol for accessibility shall be used at each primary 
entrance of an accessible facility.
    (d) This section does not require the Commission to take any action 
that it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the 
nature of a program or activity, or in undue financial and 
administrative burdens. In those circumstances where Commission 
personnel believe that the proposed action would fundamentally alter the 
program or activity or would

[[Page 125]]

result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the Commission has 
the burden of proving that compliance with Sec. 6.160 would result in 
such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in 
such alteration or burdens must be made by the Chairman or his or her 
designee after considering all Commission resources available for use in 
the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity, and must 
be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that 
conclusion. If an action required to comply with this section would 
result in such an alteration or such burdens, the Commission shall take 
any other action that would not result in such an alteration or burdens 
but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, 
individuals with handicaps receive the benefits and services of the 
program or activity.