; and (2) requires Federal agencies to establish an affirmative action program for the hiring, placement, and advancement of individuals with disabilities; Whereas section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 793 ) prohibits Federal contractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities and requires employers take affirmative actions to recruit, hire, promote, and retain individuals with disabilities; Whereas title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 796 et seq. ) established the Independent Living Services and Centers of Independent Living programs to promote the independence, self-determination, equal access, and leadership of individuals with disabilities; Whereas section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 794 ) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all federally assisted programs or activities and laid the foundation for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq. ); Whereas section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 794 ) has impacted access to and equity in healthcare, education, community living, employment opportunities, housing, transportation, electronic information and technology, and all other facets of life for individuals with disabilities; Whereas, on April 28, 1977, nearly 4 years after the enactment of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 701 et seq. ), disability rights activists secured implementation of the rights established under that Act after leading sit-ins of Federal buildings across the United States; Whereas section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 794d ), an important addition made to the Act in 1986 and expanded in 1998, improves the information and communications technology of Federal agencies to be accessible to individuals with disabilities