The ADA was preceded by which laws?

The ADA was preceded by which laws?

• A. Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Fair Housing Act of 1988
• B. Civil Rights Act of 1964
• C. Education for All Handicapped Children Act
• D. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Answer: (A)

Disability rights law progression is what this item tests. The ADA builds on earlier protections that targeted disability discrimination in specific areas. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a direct precursor; it prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal funds and includes requirements for accessibility, establishing the enforcement framework that would be expanded by the ADA. The Fair Housing Act of 1988 adds discrimination protections in housing for people with disabilities and supports accessible design, another domain the ADA later covers in broad terms. Together, these laws provided the legal groundwork for the ADA’s wider reach across employment, public accommodations, transportation, and government services. By contrast, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 addresses race, color, religion, sex, and national origin rather than disability; the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act focus on education and are not the primary precursors to the ADA. Therefore, the combination of the Rehabilitation Act and the Fair Housing Act best explains what preceded the ADA.

Disability rights law progression is what this item tests. The ADA builds on earlier protections that targeted disability discrimination in specific areas. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a direct precursor; it prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal funds and includes requirements for accessibility, establishing the enforcement framework that would be expanded by the ADA. The Fair Housing Act of 1988 adds discrimination protections in housing for people with disabilities and supports accessible design, another domain the ADA later covers in broad terms. Together, these laws provided the legal groundwork for the ADA’s wider reach across employment, public accommodations, transportation, and government services. By contrast, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 addresses race, color, religion, sex, and national origin rather than disability; the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act focus on education and are not the primary precursors to the ADA. Therefore, the combination of the Rehabilitation Act and the Fair Housing Act best explains what preceded the ADA.