50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Disability Matters with Joyce Bender

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

#AdvocacyMatters Segment

50^th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

While we often celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this year we commemorate the anniversary of another landmark bill. September marks the 50^th anniversary of the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The U.S. Department of Labor and Department of Education have established the theme of this year’s anniversary as “Advancing Access and Equity – Then, Now and Next.” The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s theme is “The Rehabilitation Act at 50: Past, Present, and Future of Disability Rights in Housing.”

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and subsequent amendments were major milestones in the advancement of access and equity for disabled people. The Act established the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the Access Board, digital access, and prohibited discrimination based on disability in programs conducted by the federal government, in programs receiving federal funding, in federal employment and in employment of those who receive federal funding.

#AdvocacyMatters

It was advocacy from the disabled community that gave us the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  This year, our community and federal agencies are marking the 50^th Anniversary with blogs, podcasts, and webinars.  For a list of some of the webinars this month from the Department of Labor, Housing and Urban Development, and Department of Education visit www.disabilityrightspa.org and click on today’s #AdvocacyMatters segment for all the information.

Links

Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Original Text)

https://www.eeoc.gov/rehabilitation-act-1973-original-text

U.S. Department of Labor

https://blog.dol.gov/2023/05/25/examining-50-years-of-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973-section-508

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fheo_commemorates_50th_anniversary_rehabilitation_act

U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration

https://vrworkforcestudio.com/celebrating-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973/

Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center Webinar

https://aoddisabilityemploymenttacenter.com/lets-commemorate-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973-the-power-of-independent-living-employment/