Before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was a key law supporting the rights of people with disabilities. It declared that individuals with disabilities should not be denied access to beneficial programs.
While this was a step forward, the law’s overall impact was limited. Enforcement was weak due to insufficient funding and inconsistent application across states. Because each state could interpret and apply the law differently, this often led to confusion and unequal access to services. However if a specific support or program wasn’t part of a state’s official plan, people with disabilities in that state were simply left without it.
Demonstrators marching with signs that say “Sign 504 now.” Tusler, Anthony. https://disabilityrightsflorida.org.
