September 26, 2023, marks 50 years since the passing of the Rehabilitation Act. This Act, also known as the 'Rehab Act,' was the first major disability rights law, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in federal programs and employment. It also covers programs that receive federal financial assistance and employment practices of federal contractors.
This law laid the foundation for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The Americans with Disabilities Act expanded upon the Rehabilitation Act's provisions and prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various areas such as employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications.
Despite its passing in 1973, disabled activists persisted in demanding accountability and implementation, particularly Section 504, for five years until it was implemented with sincerity in 1977. It is crucial to acknowledge disabled leaders' efforts and determination to ensure the rights of disabled individuals are recognized and protected by the law.
While commemorating this significant anniversary, we must also acknowledge the recency of the law. The movement toward disability rights and liberation is still young, and the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act are still not fully implemented in a genuine and significant manner. As Peter Sleasman, the Executive Director of Disability Rights Florida, shares, "We can honor and celebrate these moments in disability history. However, we must remember that these laws are the floor, not the ceiling. We encourage all agencies obligated by the Rehab Act and the ADA to meaningfully implement access and inclusion, championing a more inclusive and accessible society for all."
Photograph by HolLynn D’Li
The San Francisco group of activists with the Washington-based American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities (ACCD) at an organized Section 504 rally at Lafayette Park opposite the White House on April 26, 1977. Image from The Longmore Institute.