50th Anniversary Event to be held September 12th
On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will host a hybrid event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a landmark law providing civil rights to persons with disabilities in all federal programs and activities. What is the Act
The Rehabilitation Act is a core component of FHEO’s mission to ensure affordable, accessible, and integrated housing for persons with disabilities nationwide, and the promise of housing choice for all. Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act was the first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the United States. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal financial assistance, and set the stage for enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Section 504 works together with the ADA and IDEA to protect children and adults with disabilities from exclusion, and unequal treatment in schools, jobs and the community. The law also established the Access Board (section 502). Later amendments strengthened requirements for access to electronic and information technology in the Federal sector (Section 508). With passage the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010, a new provision (section 510) was added to address access to medical diagnostic equipment. The Access Board plays a lead role in developing and maintaining standards for electronic and information technology under section 508 and medical diagnostic equipment covered by section 510. The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) - a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities - provides these materials and others regarding the Act: Sample Section 504 Plan and Health Care Plan for a Student with Diabetes A Comparison of ADA, IDEA, and Section 504 About the Event During the HUD event, panelists will examine the history of the disability rights movement, successes, emerging issues, and the continued need for vigorous enforcement of fair housing and civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities and ensuring equal opportunity. The event will feature a discussion of disability rights in federally funded programs with Disability Rights Attorney, John Wodatch, Chief Program and Policy Officer, Regina Blye, & HUD Associate General Counsel, Jeanine Worden, discuss disability rights in federally funded programs, along with a interesting video underscoring the importance of housing choice for all. Learn more about the event here.  John Wodatch, Disability Rights Attorney  Regina Blye, Chief Program and Policy Officer, The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation  Sean Barrett, Program Analyst, Compliance and Disability Rights Division, HUD FHEO  Jeanine Worden, HUD Associate General Counsel for Fair Housing
You can register to watch the event virtually by clicking the link or scanning the QR code below: http://bit.ly/3QO67sh.
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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also connect with HUD on social media or sign up for news alerts on HUD's Email List. |
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Sources:
HUD Fair Housing News, August 31, 2023.
https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/rehabilitation-act-1973.
https://www.access-board.gov/law/ra.html
https://dredf.org/legal-advocacy/laws/section-504-of-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973/
