Celebrating Section 504 at 50

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a national law that protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. The nondiscrimination requirements of the law apply to employers and organizations that receive financial assistance from any Federal department or agency.  It paved the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.

Section 504 at 50 is a special online interview series created in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  

Why is it important?  It has paved the way forward for independence and autonomy for people with disabilities with access to education, employment, transportation, public buildings - all those subtle but important issues that are fundamental to disability-friendly  communities.

Crip Camp is a 2020 documentary that covers the beginnings of many of the pioneers who fought for the passage of Section 504 of the Rehab Act.

One way to celebrate is to attend UMBC's Facilities Accessibility Update on February 8.

UMBC Resources:

All students (undergraduate and graduate) with qualifying mental or physical health conditions seeking academic accommodations may register for, or renew, their accommodations online via the Accommodate system on the Student Disability Services website.   Send questions to disability@umbc.edu.

Faculty resources and information from Student Disability Services is linked here.

Be an Accessibility Ally: Report UMBC accessibility concerns online here.

Photo of a laptop with a rainbow-heart, fidget-pop device, smartphone and glasses with dark lenses. Credit Samar Abbas via Unsplash.com