Timeline

1964 Civil Rights Act – Title VI

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance

1968 Fair Housing Act (FHA)

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin in the sale, rent, or negotiation of a dwelling

1968 Architectural Barriers Act

Requires accessibility for physically handicapped persons in buildings constructed, altered, or leased with certain Federal financing after August 1968

1973 Rehabilitation Act – Section 504 (RA)

Prohibits discrimination based on disability in the participation and benefits of any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance

1975 Age Discrimination Act

Prohibits discrimination based on age in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance

1988 Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act – Sections 308-309

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status in the distribution of supplies, the processing of applications, and other relief and assistance activities
Requires compliance with regulations relating to nondiscrimination in activities within an area affected by a major disaster or emergency

1990 Americans with Disabilities Act – Titles II and III (ADA)

Prohibits discrimination based on disability in services, programs, and activities provided by State and local government entities
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the activities of places of public accommodations and requires newly constructed or altered places of public accommodation – a well as commercial facilities – to comply with the ADA Standards

To help communities comply with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice created the ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments. This tool kit aims to help fill gaps in knowledge and skills.

2000 Executive Order 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency

Improves access to federally conducted and federally assisted programs and activities for persons with limited English proficiency

2004 Executive Order 13347: Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness

Ensures that the Federal Government supports safety and security for individuals with disabilities in situations involving disasters

2006 Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act

Prohibits discrimination based on disability in disaster assistance
Includes individuals with disabilities in preparedness and planning activitiess