The Fight Over Section 504
A lawsuit called Texas v. Becerra is challenging Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, one of the most fundamental civil rights protections for disabled people. Seventeen states are suing the U.S. government, arguing that Section 504 itself is unconstitutional.
If they win, the entire law could be struck down, removing crucial protections against discrimination in schools, healthcare, public services, and more.
Why Is The Texas v. Becerra Section 504 Lawsuit Happening?
The lawsuit was initially filed because of the inclusion of gender dysphoria under Section 504. However, its impact goes far beyond that single issue—this case threatens all disability rights protected by 504.
No matter how one feels about gender dysphoria, this lawsuit sets a dangerous precedent. If it succeeds, it could strip away legal protections from millions of disabled people in education, healthcare, employment, and public services. We cannot afford to let one part of this case distract from the larger fight to protect disability rights for all.
What Is Section 504?
Section 504 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against disabled individuals in programs and services that receive federal funding. This includes schools, hospitals, public transit, and government agencies.
For disabled students, 504 Plans provide essential accommodations such as:
✅ Extended test time
✅ Assistive technology
✅ Note-taking assistance
✅ Modified assignments
✅ Preferential seating
✅ Behavioral supports
Without Section 504, schools would no longer be required to provide these supports, leading to increased discrimination and educational barriers for disabled students.
Who Is Fighting to Protect Section 504?
The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) is a national organization dedicated to defending disability rights through legal advocacy and policy work. They are leading efforts to stop Texas v. Becerra and provide resources to help people take action.
What This Means for Disabled People Beyond School
While much of the focus is on students, striking down Section 504 would have devastating consequences far beyond the classroom. This law protects disabled people of all ages from discrimination in any federally funded program, including healthcare, employment programs, transportation, and social services.
If Section 504 is overturned:
❌ Hospitals and medical providers could deny accommodations – This could mean refusal to provide interpreters for Deaf patients, inaccessible exam tables, or even doctors outright refusing to treat disabled people.
❌ Public transportation accessibility could be scaled back – Section 504 ensures paratransit services and accessible modifications in public transportation. Without it, cities could reduce or eliminate these services.
❌ Workplace protections could weaken – While the ADA protects disabled workers, Section 504 applies to federal employers and federally funded job training programs. Losing it could make it harder for disabled people to access employment support.
❌ Housing discrimination could increase – Federally funded housing programs could impose stricter limits on accommodations or refuse modifications for accessibility.
❌ Social services could become harder to access – Programs like Medicaid, food assistance, and public benefits would no longer be required to provide equal access, leading to increased barriers for disabled applicants.
Losing Section 504 would roll back decades of disability rights progress and make daily life much harder for millions of people.
What This Means for Disabled Students and Their Parents
If Section 504 is struck down:
❌ Schools could refuse to provide accommodations.
❌ Parents would lose legal protections to challenge discrimination.
❌ Disabled students could be pushed out of mainstream education.
❌ Colleges and universities could deny accommodations without consequence.
As someone who had a 504 Plan growing up, I know firsthand how crucial these protections are. Without them, many disabled students—myself included—would have struggled to get an education that met our needs. This lawsuit could erase decades of progress.
My Experience With a 504 Plan
My 504 Plan made an otherwise unforgiving environment a little more bearable.
Seating accommodations allowed me to sit near the teacher, reducing my anxiety and making it easier to ask for help without drawing attention.
Extra time on tests was crucial—I would never have finished exams without it, and I doubt I would have passed without that support.
Note-taking assistance made it possible for me to have class notes. My learning disabilities, anxiety, arthritis, and undiagnosed autism made note-taking almost impossible. I didn’t know what information was important versus what wasn’t, so I just tried to transcribe everything the teacher said—an impossible task, especially with arthritis.
Bathroom breaks were a necessity. Without them, I would have suffered even more permanent damage to my bladder.
504 accommodations weren’t just helpful—they were the difference between graduating and not.
Which States Are Involved?
These 17 states are suing to overturn Section 504:
- Alabama – Attorney General Steve Marshall (consumerinterest@AlabamaAG.gov)
- Arkansas – Attorney General Tim Griffin (oag@ArkansasAG.gov)
- Georgia – Attorney General Chris Carr (AGCARR@law.ga.gov)
- Indiana – Attorney General Todd Rokita (Constituent@atg.in.gov)
- Iowa – Attorney General Brenna Bird (webteam@ag.iowa.gov)
- Kansas – Attorney General Kris Kobach (general@ag.ks.gov)
- Kentucky – Attorney General Russell Coleman (kyag@ky.gov)
- Louisiana – Attorney General Liz Murrill (constituentservices@ag.louisiana.gov)
- Mississippi – Attorney General Lynn Fitch (ago.info@ago.ms.gov)
- Missouri – Attorney General Andrew Bailey (attorney.general@ago.mo.gov)
- Nebraska – Attorney General Mike Hilgers (ago.info@nebraska.gov)
- North Dakota – Attorney General Drew Wrigley (ndag@nd.gov)
- Oklahoma – Attorney General Gentner Drummond (public.protection@oag.ok.gov)
- South Carolina – Attorney General Alan Wilson (info@scag.gov)
- South Dakota – Attorney General Marty Jackley (atghelp@state.sd.us)
- Tennessee – Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti (TNAG@ag.tn.gov)
- Texas – Attorney General Ken Paxton (consumeremergency@oag.texas.gov)
Note: Attorney General positions can change due to elections or appointments. Double-check that your state’s AG is still in office before reaching out.
You can visit the National Association of Attorneys General’s (NAAG) “Find My AG” page. This resource provides profiles and contact information for each attorney general across the United States and its territories.
What Can We Do?
1. Contact Your Attorney General
If you live in one of the 17 states suing to eliminate Section 504, demand that your Attorney General withdraw from the lawsuit.
2. Spread Awareness
Share this post using hashtags:
#Protect504
#DisabilityRights
#AccessibilityMatters
Why This Fight Is Bigger Than You Think
Section 504 does more than help students—it protects basic accessibility everywhere. Without it, public spaces, jobs, and healthcare could become even more inaccessible.
📢 Find out how 504 protections shape daily life—and what happens if they disappear.
🔗 What If 504 Disappeared? The Everyday Protections You Never Knew You Had
📢 Take action today. Contact your state leaders. Speak out. Defend Section 504.
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