Moments in Disability History 11

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 helped to pave the way for the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. Section 504 granted many rights to people with disabilities that were similar to the rights granted other minority groups in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Section 504 is widely recognized as the first civil-rights statute for persons with disabilities, however, its passage and implementation did not happen without a struggle. More than three years later, no implementing rules had been issued, prompting a nationwide "Sign 504" campaign and demonstration by people with disabilities. Another civil rights movement was underway.

The late United States Senator Hubert H. Humphrey worked tirelessly to secure passage of legislation that included disability anti-discrimination rights. In 1971, two years before Section 504 was enacted, he attempted to push through such language as an amendment to the 1964 Civil Rights Act but was encouraged by his colleagues to include in the Rehabilitation Act of 1972 draft language.