Which law makes it illegal to discriminate against a qualified person with a disability in the federal government and to retaliate against individuals who complain about discrimination?

Which law makes it illegal to discriminate against a qualified person with a disability in the federal government and to retaliate against individuals who complain about discrimination?

• A. Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• B. Americans with Disabilities Act
• C. Civil Rights Act
• D. Fair Labor Standards Act

Answer: (A)

Disability discrimination protections for federal employees come from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This law makes it illegal to discriminate against a qualified person with a disability in the programs and activities of any federal agency and to retaliate against individuals who complain about discrimination. It specifically covers federal employees and anyone affected by federal programs, including contractors and recipients of federal funds. The Americans with Disabilities Act handles disability rights in many other contexts (such as private employers and state/local governments), but for the federal sector the Rehabilitation Act is the controlling statute, which is why it’s the correct answer. The Civil Rights Act addresses race, color, religion, sex, and national origin, not disability in this federal-government context, and the Fair Labor Standards Act deals with wages and overtime rather than discrimination.

Disability discrimination protections for federal employees come from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This law makes it illegal to discriminate against a qualified person with a disability in the programs and activities of any federal agency and to retaliate against individuals who complain about discrimination. It specifically covers federal employees and anyone affected by federal programs, including contractors and recipients of federal funds.

The Americans with Disabilities Act handles disability rights in many other contexts (such as private employers and state/local governments), but for the federal sector the Rehabilitation Act is the controlling statute, which is why it’s the correct answer. The Civil Rights Act addresses race, color, religion, sex, and national origin, not disability in this federal-government context, and the Fair Labor Standards Act deals with wages and overtime rather than discrimination.