VA Must Observe & Obey The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 38 CFR 15, & VA Handbook 5975.6!
The Issue
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 38 CFR 15, and VA Handbook 5975.6 apply to all VA programs or activities!
On August 11, 2026 I requested mandatory disability communications accommodations via certified mail to Secretary Collins, Assistant Secretary Mark R. Engelbaum, and Director Leslie T. Lockridge.
On September 4, 2026 Director Lockridge illegally denied my requests.
Director Lockridge does not have authority to deny my requests!
Secretary Collins and Assistant Secretary Engelbaum are the only personnel with authority to deny my requests and they did not respond.
They may deny my request only if the proposed actions would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens.
Director Lockridge denied my request for reasons other than fundamentally altering a program or activity or undue financial and administrative burdens.
Director Lockridge failed to take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with handicaps receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.
38 CFR 15 ENFORCEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAP IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
§ 15.160 Communications.
(a) The agency shall take appropriate steps to ensure effective communication with applicants, participants, personnel of other Federal entities, and members of the public.
(1) The agency 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 agency.
(i) In determining what type of auxiliary aid is necessary, the agency shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individual with handicaps.
(d) In those circumstances where agency personnel believe that the proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the agency has the burden of proving that compliance with § 15.160 would result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the agency head or his or her designee after considering all agency 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 agency shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with handicaps receive the benefits and services of the program or activity."
VA Handbook 5975.6 COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES IMPLEMENTING SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973
g. Communications:
(1) The VA shall ensure appropriate steps are taken to effectively communicate with Veterans, their families, beneficiaries, applicants, participants, other Federal Personnel, and members of the public.
(2) The VA shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids where necessary to afford an individual with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, program or activity conducted by VA.
(a) In determining what type of auxiliary aid is necessary, the VA shall give primary consideration to the requests of individuals with disabilities;
(6) In those circumstances where VA Personnel believe that the proposed action would fundamentally alter theprogram or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the VA has the burden of proving that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the VA Secretary or designee, the ASHRA/OSP, after considering all VA 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 VA shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with disabilities receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.
Appendix D:
VA Personnel shall rely on disclosure from the individual in order to offer accommodations that facilitate equal and meaningful access to services.
VA is in violation of their very own standards in the regulation they wrote for themselves!
When VA adopts a valid rule following the required legal procedures, that rule binds the agency and the public just like a statutory law passed by Congress.
38 CFR 0, Core Values, Characteristics, and Customer Experience Principles of the Department.
§ 0.600 General.
They are intended to establish one overarching set of guidelines that apply to all VA Administrations and staff offices.
§0.601. Core Values.
(a) Integrity. VA employees will act with high moral principle, adhere to the highest professional standards, and maintain the trust and confidence of all with whom they engage.
(b) Commitment. VA employees will work diligently to serve veterans and other beneficiaries, be driven by an earnest belief in VA's mission, and fulfill their individual responsibilities and organizational responsibilities.
(c) Advocacy. VA employees will be truly veteran-centric by identifying, fully considering, and appropriately advancing the interests of veterans and other beneficiaries.
(d) Respect. VA employees will treat all those they serve and with whom they work with dignity and respect, and they will show respect to earn it.
(e) Excellence. VA employees will strive for the highest quality and continuous improvement, and be thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountable for their actions, willing to admit mistakes, and rigorous in correcting them.
§ 0.602 Core Characteristics.
(a) Trustworthy. VA earns the trust of those it serves, every day, through the actions of its employees. They provide care, benefits, and services with compassion, dependability, effectiveness, and transparency.
(b) Accessible. VA engages and welcomes veterans and other beneficiaries, facilitating their use of the entire array of its services. Each interaction will be positive and productive.
(c) Quality. VA provides the highest standard of care and services to veterans and beneficiaries while managing the cost of its programs and being efficient stewards of all resources entrusted to it by the American people. VA is a model of unrivalled excellence due to employees who are empowered, trusted by their leaders, and respected for their competence and dedication.
(d) Innovative. VA prizes curiosity and initiative, encourages creative contributions from all employees, seeks continuous improvement, and adapts to remain at the forefront in knowledge, proficiency, and capability to deliver the highest standard of care and services to all of the people it serves.
(e) Agile. VA anticipates and adapts quickly to current challenges and new requirements by continuously assessing the environment in which it operates and devising solutions to better serve veterans, other beneficiaries, and Service members.
(f) Integrated. VA links care and services across the Department; other federal, state, and local agencies; partners; and Veterans Services Organizations to provide useful and understandable programs to veterans and other beneficiaries. VA's relationship with the Department of Defense is unique, and VA will nurture it for the benefit of veterans and Service members.
§ 0.603 Customer Experience principles.
(a) Ease. VA will make access to VA care, benefits, and memorial services smooth and easy.
(b) Effectiveness. VA will deliver care, benefits, and memorial services to the customer's satisfaction.
(c) Emotion. VA will deliver care, benefits, and memorial services in a manner that makes customers feel honored and valued in their interactions with VA. VA will use customer experience data and insights in strategy development and decision-making to ensure that the voice of veterans, servicemembers, their families, caregivers, and survivors inform how VA delivers care, benefits, and memorial services.
Please contact the decision-makers, Secretary Douglas A. Collins and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Email: Doug.Collins@va.gov, Joshua.Quill2@va.gov, Todd.Hunter@va.gov, Curt.Cashour@va.gov, Jennifer.Burch@va.gov, Howard.Manuel@va.gov, Danielle.Runyan@va.gov James.Baehr@va.gov, Robert.Fleck@va.gov, Michael.Hogan@va.gov, Brent.Pope@va.gov, David.Barrans@va.gov, Cheryl.Mason@va.gov, David.Case@va.gov, Leslie.Leckey1@va.gov, Chris.Wilber@va.gov, Larry.Reinkemeyer@va.gov, Silas.Darden1@va.gov, Charles.Miller@va.gov, David.Krulak@va.gov, Mark.Engelbaum@va.gov, Ted.Radway@va.gov, Onika.Coke@va.gov, Lynda.Davis@va.gov, Barbara.Morton2va.gov, Denise.Kitts@va.gov, CustomerCare@va.gov, ExecutiveLeadership@va.gov, GovernmentEthics@va.gov, OAWP@va.gov, OEIDMO@va.gov, ORMECP@va.gov, Section504.Complaint@va.gov, Section508@va.gov, SecVArequest@va.gov, VACO00Reg@va.gov, VAOIG.ReportsStaff@va.gov VAPublicAffairs@va.gov, Vets-Experience@va.gov.
Office of the Secretary (OSVA-00)
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington DC 20420-0001
Phone: 202-461-4800, 800-698-2411
Fax: 202-495-5463, 202-495-5861, 202-495-5601, 202-273-9988, 202-6328456
Report to the Office of Accountibility and Whistleblower Protection.
Report to the Office of Inspector General.
Report to the Office of Resolution Management.
Report to the Office of Special Counsel.
Report to the Department of Justice.
Contact congressional oversight. VAEmailRep_@VetAff.senate.gov, VAEmailDem_@VetAff.senate.gov, HVAC.Republicans@mail.house.gov, HVAC.Democrats@mail.house.gov
Contact your congressional delegation.
Contact the White House.
Thank you!
13
The Issue
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 38 CFR 15, and VA Handbook 5975.6 apply to all VA programs or activities!
On August 11, 2026 I requested mandatory disability communications accommodations via certified mail to Secretary Collins, Assistant Secretary Mark R. Engelbaum, and Director Leslie T. Lockridge.
On September 4, 2026 Director Lockridge illegally denied my requests.
Director Lockridge does not have authority to deny my requests!
Secretary Collins and Assistant Secretary Engelbaum are the only personnel with authority to deny my requests and they did not respond.
They may deny my request only if the proposed actions would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens.
Director Lockridge denied my request for reasons other than fundamentally altering a program or activity or undue financial and administrative burdens.
Director Lockridge failed to take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with handicaps receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.
38 CFR 15 ENFORCEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAP IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
§ 15.160 Communications.
(a) The agency shall take appropriate steps to ensure effective communication with applicants, participants, personnel of other Federal entities, and members of the public.
(1) The agency 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 agency.
(i) In determining what type of auxiliary aid is necessary, the agency shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individual with handicaps.
(d) In those circumstances where agency personnel believe that the proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the agency has the burden of proving that compliance with § 15.160 would result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the agency head or his or her designee after considering all agency 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 agency shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with handicaps receive the benefits and services of the program or activity."
VA Handbook 5975.6 COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES IMPLEMENTING SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973
g. Communications:
(1) The VA shall ensure appropriate steps are taken to effectively communicate with Veterans, their families, beneficiaries, applicants, participants, other Federal Personnel, and members of the public.
(2) The VA shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids where necessary to afford an individual with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, program or activity conducted by VA.
(a) In determining what type of auxiliary aid is necessary, the VA shall give primary consideration to the requests of individuals with disabilities;
(6) In those circumstances where VA Personnel believe that the proposed action would fundamentally alter theprogram or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the VA has the burden of proving that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the VA Secretary or designee, the ASHRA/OSP, after considering all VA 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 VA shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with disabilities receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.
Appendix D:
VA Personnel shall rely on disclosure from the individual in order to offer accommodations that facilitate equal and meaningful access to services.
VA is in violation of their very own standards in the regulation they wrote for themselves!
When VA adopts a valid rule following the required legal procedures, that rule binds the agency and the public just like a statutory law passed by Congress.
38 CFR 0, Core Values, Characteristics, and Customer Experience Principles of the Department.
§ 0.600 General.
They are intended to establish one overarching set of guidelines that apply to all VA Administrations and staff offices.
§0.601. Core Values.
(a) Integrity. VA employees will act with high moral principle, adhere to the highest professional standards, and maintain the trust and confidence of all with whom they engage.
(b) Commitment. VA employees will work diligently to serve veterans and other beneficiaries, be driven by an earnest belief in VA's mission, and fulfill their individual responsibilities and organizational responsibilities.
(c) Advocacy. VA employees will be truly veteran-centric by identifying, fully considering, and appropriately advancing the interests of veterans and other beneficiaries.
(d) Respect. VA employees will treat all those they serve and with whom they work with dignity and respect, and they will show respect to earn it.
(e) Excellence. VA employees will strive for the highest quality and continuous improvement, and be thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountable for their actions, willing to admit mistakes, and rigorous in correcting them.
§ 0.602 Core Characteristics.
(a) Trustworthy. VA earns the trust of those it serves, every day, through the actions of its employees. They provide care, benefits, and services with compassion, dependability, effectiveness, and transparency.
(b) Accessible. VA engages and welcomes veterans and other beneficiaries, facilitating their use of the entire array of its services. Each interaction will be positive and productive.
(c) Quality. VA provides the highest standard of care and services to veterans and beneficiaries while managing the cost of its programs and being efficient stewards of all resources entrusted to it by the American people. VA is a model of unrivalled excellence due to employees who are empowered, trusted by their leaders, and respected for their competence and dedication.
(d) Innovative. VA prizes curiosity and initiative, encourages creative contributions from all employees, seeks continuous improvement, and adapts to remain at the forefront in knowledge, proficiency, and capability to deliver the highest standard of care and services to all of the people it serves.
(e) Agile. VA anticipates and adapts quickly to current challenges and new requirements by continuously assessing the environment in which it operates and devising solutions to better serve veterans, other beneficiaries, and Service members.
(f) Integrated. VA links care and services across the Department; other federal, state, and local agencies; partners; and Veterans Services Organizations to provide useful and understandable programs to veterans and other beneficiaries. VA's relationship with the Department of Defense is unique, and VA will nurture it for the benefit of veterans and Service members.
§ 0.603 Customer Experience principles.
(a) Ease. VA will make access to VA care, benefits, and memorial services smooth and easy.
(b) Effectiveness. VA will deliver care, benefits, and memorial services to the customer's satisfaction.
(c) Emotion. VA will deliver care, benefits, and memorial services in a manner that makes customers feel honored and valued in their interactions with VA. VA will use customer experience data and insights in strategy development and decision-making to ensure that the voice of veterans, servicemembers, their families, caregivers, and survivors inform how VA delivers care, benefits, and memorial services.
Please contact the decision-makers, Secretary Douglas A. Collins and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Email: Doug.Collins@va.gov, Joshua.Quill2@va.gov, Todd.Hunter@va.gov, Curt.Cashour@va.gov, Jennifer.Burch@va.gov, Howard.Manuel@va.gov, Danielle.Runyan@va.gov James.Baehr@va.gov, Robert.Fleck@va.gov, Michael.Hogan@va.gov, Brent.Pope@va.gov, David.Barrans@va.gov, Cheryl.Mason@va.gov, David.Case@va.gov, Leslie.Leckey1@va.gov, Chris.Wilber@va.gov, Larry.Reinkemeyer@va.gov, Silas.Darden1@va.gov, Charles.Miller@va.gov, David.Krulak@va.gov, Mark.Engelbaum@va.gov, Ted.Radway@va.gov, Onika.Coke@va.gov, Lynda.Davis@va.gov, Barbara.Morton2va.gov, Denise.Kitts@va.gov, CustomerCare@va.gov, ExecutiveLeadership@va.gov, GovernmentEthics@va.gov, OAWP@va.gov, OEIDMO@va.gov, ORMECP@va.gov, Section504.Complaint@va.gov, Section508@va.gov, SecVArequest@va.gov, VACO00Reg@va.gov, VAOIG.ReportsStaff@va.gov VAPublicAffairs@va.gov, Vets-Experience@va.gov.
Office of the Secretary (OSVA-00)
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington DC 20420-0001
Phone: 202-461-4800, 800-698-2411
Fax: 202-495-5463, 202-495-5861, 202-495-5601, 202-273-9988, 202-6328456
Report to the Office of Accountibility and Whistleblower Protection.
Report to the Office of Inspector General.
Report to the Office of Resolution Management.
Report to the Office of Special Counsel.
Report to the Department of Justice.
Contact congressional oversight. VAEmailRep_@VetAff.senate.gov, VAEmailDem_@VetAff.senate.gov, HVAC.Republicans@mail.house.gov, HVAC.Democrats@mail.house.gov
Contact your congressional delegation.
Contact the White House.
Thank you!
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on October 24, 2026