United Spinal opposes attacks on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, one of the first U.S. federal civil rights laws offering protection for people with disabilities. In 1977, Judy Heumann was a leader in the historic 504 Sit-In in San Francisco. This 26-day protest (the longest sit-in at a federal building to date) led to Section 504 finally obtaining the force of law.
Seventeen states have filed a lawsuit challenging the long-overdue 2024 updates to the regulations implementing this law and the constitutionality of the law itself. Section 504 is the foundational disability rights law of the United States. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and all subsequent disability rights laws have been built upon Sect. 504.
It is what guarantees that people with disabilities have access to any and everything that federal dollars flow to. That includes schools and hospitals.
People with disabilities across the nation voice their concerns and call for action.
“A lawsuit filed by Texas and 16 other states, Texas v. Becerra, challenges Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act — a foundational civil rights law that guarantees Disabled people access to education and protects them from being denied services by federally funded entities,” reports Cripple Media.
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“Section 504 has always been a critical part of leveling the playing field for us. If this law goes, so does the chance for many disabled people to have the same opportunities to succeed in education, work, and life,” says Amanda Steijlen.
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“Between 504 being possibly repealed in a number of States, RFK being appointed to oversee the health of people (wut?), the complete erasure of disability from The Whitehouse website + so many more injustices only one month into all this, disabled people are NOT okay right now,” says Andrew Gurza.
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“Section 504 is under attack. Please everyone, help us. We can’t afford to ignore this,” says attorney, Ashley Jacobson, in a video where she breaks down the news.
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“If Section 504 were eliminated, the consequences would be devastating for people with disabilities,” says Carla Sanders.
She lists four reasons why Section 504 is important:
1. Equal Access to Education.
2.Employment Protections.
3. Accessible Public Spaces and Services.
4. Foundation for Disability Rights.
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United Spinal is doing our best to analyze how these orders and all subsequent policy communications may impact wheelchair users. For action alerts and opportunities to advocate, join our Grassroots Advocacy Network.