Define: Rehabilitation Act Of 1973

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

The Act protects individuals with disabilities, including physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities, such as walking, seeing, hearing, or learning.

The Act covers a wide range of entities, including federal agencies, state and local governments, public schools, colleges and universities, and private employers that receive federal funding.

Discrimination prohibited under the Act includes denying individuals with disabilities equal access to programs, services, or activities, as well as excluding them from employment opportunities based on their disability.

There are limited exceptions to the Act, such as instances where providing accommodations would cause undue hardship or fundamentally alter the nature of the program or activity.

Reasonable accommodations are modifications or adjustments that enable individuals with disabilities to participate in programs or activities on an equal basis. Examples include providing assistive technology, modifying work schedules, or making physical accessibility changes.

Complaints can be filed with the relevant federal agency responsible for enforcing the Act, such as the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the Department of Education or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Remedies may include monetary damages, injunctive relief (such as requiring the entity to provide accommodations), and attorney’s fees.

Yes, individuals can file a lawsuit in federal court if they believe their rights under the Act have been violated. However, it is generally recommended to exhaust administrative remedies before pursuing litigation.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 served as a precursor to the ADA, which was enacted in 1990. While both laws prohibit disability discrimination, the ADA extends protections to private entities regardless of federal funding, while the Rehabilitation Act primarily applies to entities receiving federal financial assistance.