Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 applies to any program that receives financial support from the federal government. As the act states, “disability is a natural part of human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to live independently, enjoy selfdetermination, make choices, contribute to society, pursue meaningful careers, and enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society” (Section 2(a)(3) of the Rehabilitation Act). To that end, the act's purpose is to provide “comprehensive and coordinated state-of-the-art programs of vocational rehabilitation, independent living centers and services, research, training, and demonstration projects” (Section 2(b)). The U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) is responsible for administering the act. The RSA develops and issues program ...