Final answer:
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed to combat discrimination against people with disabilities in federal employment and programs, becoming a key legal foundation for subsequent disability rights legislation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act, commonly known as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, was a significant legislative milestone that was formed to address discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the act made it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in federal employment, in programs conducted by federal agencies, and in programs receiving federal funding. Before this law, disabled Americans, including those mentally and physically challenged, faced substantial obstacles in gaining employment and accessing public facilities. The concerted activism of disabled persons and their advocates throughout the 1970s, such as the historic march on Washington in 1970, pressured Congress to pass legislation that would support their cause, culminating in the passage of the Rehabilitation Act in 1973. Section 504 of the act was particularly notable for mandating accessibility for people with disabilities.
The broader movement for civil rights and the rights consciousness that grew from it played a critical role in shaping the advocacy for disability rights. This law set the groundwork for later legislation, including the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, which extended protections and accessibility requirements to private businesses.