Rehabilitation (Rehab) Act of 1973
September 26, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehab Act). The Rehab Act prohibits federal agencies and programs receiving federal funding from discriminating against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. This was the first federal law to provide disability rights protections in the U.S.
News
September 26, 2023
On the 50th anniversary of the Rehab Act, President Joe Biden restates his commitment to ensuring the rights of Americans with disabilities. As part of this commitment, he signed an Executive Order to advance opportunities for people with disabilities in the Federal workforce. President Biden was also a co-sponsor of the Rehab Act in his early days as a Senator.
September 26, 2023
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Rehab Act, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued a statement on the importance of this law and of the disability rights movement. He describes the positive impact of this law as well as the work left to be done to ensure disabled people can exercise their basic civil rights.
September 26, 2023
The National Council on Disability celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first civil rights legislation protecting disabled people from discrimination. This law is the precursor for future disability rights protections, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Additionally, the NCD’s origins are tied to updates to this law.
September 21, 2023
Fifty years on, the Rehab Act enables continues to empower disabled individuals to maximize employment and achieve self-sufficiency. The law expands opportunities and services for students receiving special educations services who are transitioning into the workforce.
September 7, 2023
HHS, through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), announced a proposed rule that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in HHS-funded health care and human services programs. The new rule, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, updates critical provisions that help persons with disabilities access health and human services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
September 6, 2023
The Rehab Act created the Independent Living Services program, the Centers for Independent Living program, and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, all of which are part of ACL today. This page also lists events being held to honor this anniversary.
Websites
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Rehab Act—the first federal legislation to address access and equity for people with disabilities. To honor this major milestone, ODEP has been conducting a variety of activities throughout the year, all centered on the theme “Advancing Access and Equity: Then, Now and Next.”
This page explains what the Rehab Act does. The page also provides examples of how employers can provide accommodations to disables employees.
This page provides the text of the Rehab Act that prohibits employers from rejecting qualified candidates on the basis of disability.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. The nondiscrimination requirements of the law apply to employers and organizations that receive financial assistance from any Federal department or agency. This website includes podcasts and resources on disability rights and the history of the movement.
Events
September 27-28, 2023
