Rehabilitation Act
Quick Summary
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was a landmark U.S. law that prohibited organizations receiving federal funds from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. This act provided the first federal civil rights protections for disabled people.1
The law defined disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Its passage was a significant step in the broader disability rights movement, which advocated for equal opportunities and protections for people with disabilities in various aspects of life, including employment, education, and public accommodations.2
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