Call to Action: Save Section 504!
- Jill King
- Feb 13
- 3 min read
Section 504 serves as a lifeline for disabled Americans, ultimately enforcing rights of equal access for all federally funded programs. The 17 states suing the United States government are seeking to get rid of these protections. These same protections are what ensure our rights to an accessible education and so much more.
For a more thorough plain-language explainer on the fight against Section 504, check out this link from New Disabled South, DREDF, and other disability rights organizations.
So what can you do to fight to save 504? First, you will want to figure out if you live in one of 17 state's suing the federal government regarding 504.
If you live in one of the 17 states involved, I hope you know that both the SDAG community and disabled community at large is here for you as you navigate this uncertain, anxiety-inducing time. SDAG's current board of directors exclusively lives in states involved in the lawsuit against 504, and the flurry of emotions while fighting for a lifeline as essential as 504 cannot be understated.
The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund has compiled the contact information for all 17 states' Attorney Generals, whom are responsible for this fight. Reaching out to them is your first action step. The majority of the states' Attorney Generals' offices list phone numbers and no emails, so that will be your best method of contact.
For the advice below, know that the name of the lawsuit against 504 is Texas vs. Becerra.
DREDF's Phone Call Advice:
Say who you are. Say your name or the name of your group. Say where you live. If you want, you can say what your disability is.
Say why you support Section 504 and its rules. Talk about why Section 504 is important to you. Section 504 and its rules make sure people with disabilities can be included in schools. Section 504 and its rules make sure people with disabilities can see their doctor.
Include personal details. You can tell a personal story about why Section 504 matters to you. Some stories that might be helpful to include are:
How a 504 Plan helped you be included in school as a child or young adult. How a 504 Plan allows yourself or your child to participate in school.
How a reasonable accommodation helped you gain or maintain employment.
How your needs are met in a community integrated setting.
How you got an interpreter at a doctor’s appointment and were able to talk to your doctor.
Say why Texas v. Becerra is bad. If the court agrees with the states bringing the lawsuit, people with disabilities will lose civil rights. These rights have protected people with disabilities for over 50 years.
Tell your state Attorney General to drop out of the case [or that you support Section 504]. If you live in a state that is part of the lawsuit, tell your Attorney General to stop attacking Section 504 and pull out of the lawsuit. If you live in a state that is not part of the lawsuit, tell your Attorney General that you support Section 504 and its regulations.
If you want, ask for a meeting. Say that you and your group would like to set up a meeting to talk about why Texas v. Becerra hurts people with disabilities.
After contacting your Attorney General, start making noise online and in your communities! Advocates and organizations such as Samantha Jade Duran and Cripple Media have been making noise online, share their posts or create your own!
Make sure to mobilize your community! Our Membership Director, Katie Greenstein, created a script for texting colleagues and friends so that they also call their Attorney General!
hello! did you see 17 states are trying to overturn section 504, the landmark civil rights law that defines disability discrimination and protects disabled people's right to access healthcare and education??? [Your State] is one of the suing to overturn section 504 which is not okay!!! I'm asking folks to contact [Attorney General] and ask him to pull out of the lawsuit. more information (and a script to call the AG's office) here: https://dredf.org/protect-504/
For those in the 33 states not involved in the lawsuit against 504, call your Attorney General to encourage them to file a pro-disability briefing! It is past time to show up and show out to protect disability rights!
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