Which act specifies that qualified individuals should not face discrimination based on their disability?

The Rehabilitation Act specifically addresses the issue of discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Particularly, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act states that no individual with a disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance. This means that any qualified individual, regardless of their disability, is entitled to equal access and opportunities in educational and employment settings funded by federal resources.

In contrast, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also prohibits discrimination and is broader in scope, extending to all public and private sectors regardless of federal funding. The Fair Labor Standards Act primarily focuses on wage and hour laws, and the Workforce Investment Act pertains to workforce development and job training programs. Therefore, while these acts contribute to the overall framework supporting individuals with disabilities, it is the Rehabilitation Act that lays the foundational legal groundwork regarding non-discrimination based on disability in federally funded programs.