Federal Law

Rehabilitation Act

Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Sections 501 & 504

29 U.S.C. § 794 (Section 504); 29 U.S.C. § 791 (Section 501)

Employer Size

1+

Filing Deadline

180 days

Extended Deadline

300 days

Filing Agency

EEOC

Overview

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first major federal legislation to address discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 501 prohibits disability discrimination in federal government employment and requires affirmative action for hiring, placing, and advancing individuals with disabilities. Section 504 prohibits disability discrimination by programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Section 503 requires affirmative action and prohibits discrimination by federal contractors and subcontractors with contracts over $10,000. The Rehabilitation Act served as the precursor to the ADA and uses substantially the same standards for determining disability discrimination.

Key Provisions

  • Section 501 requires affirmative action for disability in federal employment
  • Section 504 prohibits disability discrimination by recipients of federal financial assistance
  • Section 503 requires affirmative action by federal contractors with contracts exceeding $10,000
  • Standards for disability discrimination are substantially the same as those used under the ADA
  • Reasonable accommodation is required unless it would impose undue hardship

Available Remedies

Back payReinstatement or front payCompensatory damagesReasonable accommodationAttorney fees and court costsInjunctive reliefTermination of federal funding (Section 504)

Filing Information

Deadline

180 days from the discriminatory act (300 days in deferral states for Section 504); 45 days to contact EEO counselor for federal employees under Section 501

Agency

EEOC (Section 501 for federal employees); funding agency (Section 504)

Eligibility Notes

  • •Section 501 applies to federal government employers
  • •Section 504 applies to programs receiving federal financial assistance
  • •Section 503 applies to federal contractors with contracts over $10,000
  • •Uses the same standards as the ADA for determining disability and reasonable accommodation
  • •Federal employees under Section 501 must contact EEO counselor within 45 days of discriminatory act

Covers These Situations

discriminationfailure to accommodateretaliationwrongful termination

Protected Characteristics

disability

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This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations are subject to change. Consult a qualified employment attorney for advice about your specific situation. Last reviewed: February 2025.