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Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP)

LIBRARY


The Rehabilitation Act of 1973

In 1973, President Nixon signed the Rehabilitation Act (P.L. 93-112, as amended) which contains a number of provisions designed to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. The Act authorizes funding for the states to provide rehabilitation services including evaluation, counseling, training, placement, and rehabilitation technology services to qualified individuals.

The Act also authorizes grants states to establish systems, independent of service delivery agencies, for the protection and advocacy (P&A) of individual rights of persons with disabilities. These P&A systems may pursue legal, administrative and other appropriate remedies in cases where the rights of a person with disabilities are being violated. This part of the Act was funded for the first time in 1991.

In 1992, Congress reauthorized the Rehab Act (P.L. 102-569) and brought the law into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This action redefined rehabilitation technology to include both assistive technology (AT) and rehabilitative engineering. It required each state to specify how AT devices and services are to be provided. The Act also mandates the creation of individualized written rehabilitation plans (IWRPs) for clients receiving services. The IWRP plans must include the provision of rehabilitation technology services to assist in the implementation of intermediate and long-term goals.

The term rehabilitation technology means the “application of technologies, engineering methods, or scientific principles to meet the needs of, and address the barriers confronted by, individuals with disabilities.” The definition includes rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology devices and assistive technology services. The Act’s definition of rehabilitation technology, applies to applications in education, rehabilitation, employment, transportation, and independent living.

The reauthorized Act also includes funding for the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and continued support for the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) in addition to other core areas of research and development.

Specific rights outlined by the Act are primarily found in Section 504 of Title V, which prohibits discrimination against Americans with disabilities in all federally-assisted programs and activities. This section also prohibits recipients of federal financial assistance from discriminating in the provision of aids, benefits, service, or employment against qualified individuals with disabilities. Section 503 prohibits recipients of federal contracts over $2,500 from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of their disabilities.

Section 508 of the Act prohibits federal agencies and states receiving federal funds from procuring electronic “information technology” equipment which is not accessible to persons with disabilities. In other words, this section provides individuals with disabilities “comparable access” to information technology such as computers, computer software, fax machines, telecommunication devices and other equipment that stores, processes and retrieves electronic data.

For Additional Information, write or call:

  • Todd Miller
    Information Corrdinator
    RESNA Technical Assistance Project
    • 1700 N. Moore Street, Suite 1540
      Arlington, VA 22209-1903
      Email: tmiller@resna.org
      Voice: (703) 524-6686, Ext. 309
      TDD:  (703) 524-6639
      Fax:  (703) 524-6630

For more information on Assistive Technology, please contact:

  • Jill Sherman-Pleasant, Project Director
    Arizona Technology Access Program
    Institute for Human Development
    Northern Arizona University

AzTAP provides support to five Regional Resource Centers (RRCs) in Arizona. These RRCs provide direct assistive technology services to persons with disabilities, and are available to help consumers select the most appropriate devices, and advocate for themselves in order to acquire funding for devices and services.

  • ASSIST! To Independence
    • Contact Person: Ann O'Connor
      PO Box 4133
      Tuba City, AZ 86045
      Email: assist01@frontiernet.net
      Voice/TTY: (928) 283-6261
      Toll-Free:    (928) 523-4909
  • IHD Assistive Technology Center
    Institute for Human Development
    Northern Arizona University
    • Building 27, Room 171
      PO Box 5630
      Flagstaff, AZ 86011
      Email: Janis.Doneski-Nicol@nau.edu
      Voice:  (928) 523-5878
      TTY:    (928) 523-1695
      Fax:     (928) 523-9127
      Toll-Free: (928) 523-4909
  • Southwest Human Development
    • 2850 N. 24th Street
      Phoenix, AZ 85008
      Website :     http://www.swhd.org
      Voice/TTY: (602) 266-5976 ext. 4125
  • Technology Access Center of Tucson (TACT)
    • 4710 E. 29th Street, PO Box 13178
      Tucson, AZ 85732-3178
      Email :  tact1@qwestoffice.net
      Voice:  (520) 519-1776
This document was developed by the Arizona Technology Access Program. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Grant #H224A40002. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of NIDRR or the U.S. Department of Education, and do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

This document was developed by the Arizona Technology Access Program. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Grant #H224A40002. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of NIDRR or the U.S. Department of Education, and do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Please contact the AzTAP office for a copy of this material in an alternate format. Rev. 07/05

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