The federal law that first made it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in federal employment is the Rehabilitation Act. This act was signed into law in 1973 and included a provision, known as Section 501, that prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in federal government employment.
Unlike the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which came into effect later in 1990 and focuses on broader anti-discrimination protections for individuals with disabilities in various areas of public life, the Rehabilitation Act specifically addressed the issue of discrimination in federal employment.
So, in summary:
1. The Rehabilitation Act was the first federal law to make it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in federal employment.
2. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides more comprehensive protections for individuals with disabilities in various settings beyond federal employment.
