Final answer:
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was created to provide equal opportunities and protections for individuals with disabilities. It made it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in federal employment or in programs receiving federal funding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was created instead of amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 because it specifically addressed the need for equal opportunities and protections for individuals with disabilities. While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, or national origin, it did not include protections for disabled individuals. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 made it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in federal employment or in programs receiving federal funding. This legislation was necessary to ensure that individuals with disabilities had equal access to employment and services, and it set the foundation for subsequent disability rights legislation.