Which law ensures that individuals with disabilities have civil rights protections?

• A. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• B. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• C. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
• D. Both ADA and Section 504

Answer: (D)

The correct answer encompasses both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act because both laws play pivotal roles in ensuring that individuals with disabilities are granted civil rights protections.

The ADA is a comprehensive civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. This law is significant as it establishes broad protections that help provide equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act similarly prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities that receive federal assistance. This law was among the first to explicitly assert the rights of people with disabilities and laid the groundwork for subsequent legislation, including the ADA. Section 504 ensures that individuals are not denied access to programs or activities solely on the basis of their disabilities, expanding civil rights protections in educational and employment contexts.

By acknowledging the protections offered by both the ADA and Section 504, this answer highlights the collaborative legal framework that collectively safeguards the civil rights of individuals with disabilities across various aspects of public and private life.