[NFB_of_Georgia] ALERT: Section 504 Is Under Attack

[Armando Vias]

https://armandovias.com/advocacy/actions/section-504-alert

ALERT: Section 504 Is Under Attack
Introduction

Back in December 2024, seventeen states sued the United States Government to dismantle Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in the case of Texas V. Becerra.

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What’s Section 504?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a Civil Rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. This law also has rules in place that requires schools, hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other businesses that receives funding from the United States Government to include people with disabilities.

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Why Is Section 504 A Very Important law?

The short answer is that this law covers all businesses that receives funding from the United States Government, especially educational and healthcare institutions. Some examples of the rules in Section 504 include, but not limited to:

  *   Education: Schools must include all students with disabilities to help them learn and grow. Also, schools must include a sign-language interpreter for people who are deaf/Hard of hearing and all videos must include captions.
  *   Healthcare: A doctor must give clear/transparent information to people with disabilities, including people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Also, doctors and hospitals cannot deny medical care to someone just because they have a disability.
  *   Websites: Even websites that’s owned and operated by schools and hospitals must work for people who use screen-reading software such as blind and/or low vision individuals.

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What’s Texas V. Becerra?

Texas V. Becerra is a court case based out of Texas. The seventeen states that’s suing the United States Government is asking for the court to completely get rid of Section 504. In the lawsuit, the states argues that Section 504 goes against the United States Constitution.

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The Consequences

If the seventeen states wins the case, it’ll have devastating consequences for people with disabilities, such as students. This will even remove protections for people with disabilities who are workers from workplace discrimination. They’ll face greater barriers to Independent Living, public education, and employment.

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The Seventeen States That Are Currently In This Case

The following states that are currently suing the United States Government to get rid of Section 504 include:

  *   Alaska
  *   Alabama
  *   Arkansas
  *   Florida
  *   Georgia
  *   Indiana
  *   Iowa
  *   Kansas
  *   Louisiana
  *   Missouri
  *   Montana
  *   Nebraska
  *   South Carolina
  *   South Dakota
  *   Texas
  *   Utah
  *   And West Virginia

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Actions That You Can Take Right Now

Here’s what you can do to stop the attack of Section 504:

  1.  Attend the February 12, 2025 Community briefing (Hosted By Disability Rights Education And Defense Fund) By Registering<https://dredf-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SakrItZPT_KM0NIWJNlDHg#/registration>
  2.  Sign This Petition On Change.Org To Demand The Seventeen States To Withdraw their Lawsuit<https://www.change.org/p/protect-section-504-defend-disability-rights-now?source_location=tag_>
  3.  If you live in one of the seventeen mentioned states above like me, I encourage you to call your Attorney General’s Office to demand them to drop out of the case. For Georgia’s Attorney General, you can call their office at (404) 458-3600.<tel:4044583600>

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More Information And Resources

  *   Texas v. Becerra: What it is and How You Can Help Stop the Attack on Section 504 (DREDF)<https://dredf.org/protect-504/>
  *   HHS Rehabilitation Act Complaint (PDF) | Texas Attorney General<https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/HHS%20Rehabilitation%20Act%20Complaint%20Filestamped.pdf>
  *   Plain Language Explainer: Texas V. Becerra (DREDF) (PDF)<https://dredf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Plain-Language-Explainer_Texas-v-Becerra.pdf>

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