Under which act are conditions like blindness recognized as disabilities?

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is the legislation that explicitly recognizes disabilities, including conditions such as blindness. This act was one of the first pieces of legislation that prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs conducted by federal agencies or receiving federal assistance. Under this act, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, which aligns well with conditions like blindness.

In contrast, while the Fair Housing Act and the Fair Housing Amendment Act '88 do address discrimination in housing based on disability, they are more focused on ensuring equal housing opportunities rather than providing a formal definition of disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act also offers protections and a definition of disability, but it is more comprehensive regarding employment and public accommodation rather than solely focusing on the recognition of disabilities related to housing.

Thus, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is the foundational law that clearly recognizes blindness and other disabilities as criteria for protection against discrimination in various contexts, including education and federal programs, setting the stage for subsequent legislation.