Which act requires reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities?

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is significant because it marked one of the first comprehensive efforts in U.S. legislation to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. One of its key components, particularly Section 504, mandates that any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance must provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to the programs and activities. This fundamental principle establishes the importance of providing necessary accommodations in educational settings, employment, and other federally funded programs, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can participate fully and equitably.

While other acts such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also enforce anti-discrimination measures and require reasonable accommodations, it's particularly the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that first laid the groundwork for these rights in a broader context. The ADA expands on these protections and applies them to all areas of public life, not just those receiving federal funds, but the Rehabilitation Act remains foundational in understanding the obligations concerning reasonable accommodations.

The Technology Act and the AT Act of 1998 focus more specifically on advancing technology and assistive technology-related services, and therefore, they do not primarily serve to establish grounds for reasonable accommodations.