3 US Laws and Government Benefits
Below is a basic review and resources for understanding the basics of some of the major legislation and benefits protecting people with disabilities in the United States.
https://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/disability/laws-guidance/index.html
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 501 prevents discrimination regarding employment of people with disabilities in the federal sector.
https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/rehabilitation-act-1973
Section 504 prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal funding.
https://dredf.org/legal-advocacy/laws/section-504-of-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973/
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/knowyourrights504adafactsheet.pdf
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html
Although this act was passed in 1973, it was not being meaningfully enforced more than 3 years later leading to further advocacy organizing by persons with disabilities, as discussed in the previous chapter.
PL 94-142 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
This law has evolved over time to ensure access to education and support services available for primary students (ages 3 -22 years old).
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/IDEA-History
https://dredf.org/legal-advocacy/laws/a-comparison-of-ada-idea-and-section-504/
The Americans with Disabilities Act
First passed in 1990, this law has been amended and updated over the past decades. Broadly, it provides protections for people with disabilities in various settings via five separate titles to include: employment, public services and accommodations, telecommunications, and others.
https://www.ada.gov/ada_intro.htm
https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/your-employment-rights-individual-disability
https://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm#12102
https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-overview
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/faqs/americans-with-disabilities-act-amendments
Social Security Disability
A program that acts as a supplement for people with disabilities to access financial and qualify for health care benefits. This is an extremely complex and individualized process to understand, apply for, and maintain benefit levels.
https://www.ssa.gov/disability/?
https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/general-info.htm