Laws
This act was the first major federal legislation to address disability rights, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal financial assistance. Section 504 of this act was particularly influential in setting the stage for future disability rights laws.
What is: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
What percentage of working adults have a disability?
What is 25%
True or False:
Most Individual accommodations cost employers $500 or less.
What is True!
Many people with disabilities do not require one. 59% cost nothing, the rest cost $500 or less.
What is the 2026 NDEAM theme?
Celebrating Value and Talent!
Signed into law in 1990, this act prohibits discrimination in areas like employment, transportation, and public accommodations. Title I of the this act specifically addresses employment, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
What is: The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
What percentage of disabilities are non-apparent?
What is 70%
True or False:
Recruiters need to know how to provide accommodations.
What is False!
Every organization has a policy regarding accommodations. Know YOUR organization’s policy AND be able to provide the accommodation statement.
Who does NDEAM celebrate?
US workers with disabilities
This act aims to improve workforce development systems and increase access to employment, education, training, and support services for individuals with disabilities. It emphasizes competitive integrated employment and provides funding for vocational rehabilitation services.
What is: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
What percentage of disabilities are acquired?
What is 80%
True or False:
People without disabilities have the same rate of absenteeism as a people with disabilities.
What is True!
Professionals with disabilities (PWDs) have no higher absenteeism rate than people without disabilities.
In which year did Congress designate a national week to recognize the contributions of Americans with physical disabilities?
1945
This act provides eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave a year, and requires group health benefits to be maintained during the leave as if employees continued to work instead of taking leave. Employees are also entitled to return to their same or an equivalent job at the end of their leave.
Employees may use the leave for various reasons including (but not limited to) illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental health.
What is: The Family and Medical Leave Act
What percentage of employees at any given time are caregivers?
What is 20%
True or False:
Certain jobs should be set aside for people with disabilities.
What is False!
Assumptions should not be made about the appropriateness of specific roles for professionals with disabilities.
In which year did Congress expand the commemoration of Americans with disabilities to a month and designate it NDEAM to acknowledge the importance of advancing opportunities for Americans with disabilities both apparent and nonapparent?
1988
This law is especially relevant to federal employment. The Department of Labor includes it among the five significant federal laws protecting individuals with disabilities from employment discrimination.
What is the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978?
Companies that prioritize disability inclusion over time see ___ more economic profit
What is 2x
True or False:
You cannot terminate an employee with a disability.
What is False!
All employees should be treated and assessed following the prescribed processes and policies in place for all employees.
What is the JAN (Job Accommodation Network) Situations and Solutions Finder (AskJAN.org)?
A resource that provides access to accommodation scenarios that employers and workers with disabilities can explore.