A brief overview of ten Federal laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities and the Federal agencies to contact for more information. Rights, Disability Discrimination: Frequently Asked.Questions, U.S. DEP'T OF EDUC. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) works to prevent and address disability discrimination. The Rehab Act was the first civil rights legislation protecting disabled people from discrimination. Vice President Harris and advocates will discuss reproductive rights and the impact the overturning of Roe v. Scott Applauds Biden-Harris Administration for Protecting Americans with Disabilities from Wage Discrimination. In addition, most states have their own laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of disability. Passed in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark civil rights law that addresses discrimination based on disability. There are five important federal laws that protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in employment and the job application process.