The Rehabilitation Act Of 1973

My son would be proud that I’m sharing this precious vignette and nugget with all of you, my beloved audience! Besides, nobody in Healthcare is better educated than the folks at Regency Nursing Centers and we like to share.

40 years ago, the Rehabilitation Act, introduced as H.R. 8070 by Representative John Brandemas (D-IN) and S. 1875 by Senator Randolph Jennings (D-WV), was signed by President Richard Nixon on September 26, 1973. The Rehabilitation Act provides protections and services for people with disabilities.

The Rehabilitation Act extended civil rights to people with disabilities through its Section 504:

“ … no otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the U.S. …shall solely by reason of her or his disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

Section 504 applies to all federal agencies, federally funded projects, schools from kindergarten through the 12th grade, state colleges, universities, and vocational training programs.

The Act established the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (later the Department of Health and Human Services). Today, the Department of Education administers the Act. RSA oversees the Title I formula grant program that provides funds to state vocational rehabilitation agencies that in turn provide employment-related services to individuals with physical and mental disabilities

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 attempted to address some of the societal barriers encountered by people with disabilities. For example, people with disabilities were often isolated from society by placement in institutions. People with disabilities contended with limited access to buildings and facilities due to physical barriers. In addition, schools were allowed to refuse to enroll disabled students who local administrators deemed uneducable, or disabled students were segregated within the education system, ostensibly to receive individualized attention.

Progress comes in many forms and formats.

Ask the folks at Regency Nursing Centers, where we continue to push the envelope every single day to break barriers and set new trends in stellar care for seniors.

Regency Sets The Standard Others Wish To Attain!

That’s why we are ‘The Place Where Caring Comes To Life!’

 

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