What does Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protect individuals from?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a critical piece of civil rights legislation that specifically protects individuals from discrimination based on disability. This law mandates that programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, including educational institutions, must provide equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

The focus of Section 504 is on ensuring access and preventing discrimination in areas such as education, employment, and public services. Under this act, individuals with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations that allow them to participate fully in educational programs and activities. The legislation plays a vital role in promoting inclusivity and accessibility for students who may have physical or mental impairments.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different forms of discrimination that are not covered under Section 504. For instance, age discrimination is addressed by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, economic status might be addressed through various social welfare programs, and citizenship discrimination falls under immigration and civil rights laws, but none of these are the primary focus of Section 504. Therefore, the protection from discrimination based on disability is the essence of this important legislation.