Which legislation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in the federal government?

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, specifically Sections 501 and 505, prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in federal government employment. Section 501 mandates affirmative action in hiring, placement, and advancement within the federal workforce to create equal employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, Section 505 establishes the right to sue for discrimination based on disability, providing legal avenues for those who believe they have faced unfair treatment.

While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is indeed a significant piece of legislation that addresses disability rights broadly, including private sector employment, it is the Rehabilitation Act that directly governs employment discrimination within the federal government. Other options, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act, focus on workplace safety regulations, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act does not specifically address disabilities in the same targeted manner as the Rehabilitation Act. Hence, the focus of the question on federal government employment discrimination makes the Rehabilitation Act the correct choice.