1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the legal challenge by 17 states against Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act , which has been the foundation of disability rights and access to education for decades. If these challenges succeed, millions of disabled individuals—including myself—could lose vital protections. As a college graduate with a disability , I know firsthand how essential Section 504 is in ensuring equal access to education. Without these legal safeguards, I may not have had the opportunity to learn and succeed. Even with these protections, I still encountered resistance from educators and institutions that questioned my right to access the same education as my peers. Without Section 504, many students with disabilities would face even greater barriers to education and independence. It is alarming that any state would attempt to strip away these rights. Weakening or overturning Section 504 would create unnecessary obstacles to education, employment, and independent living—denying opportunities to people who deserve them. I urge you to take a stand in defending Section 504 and disability rights by: • Publicly opposing these legal challenges. • Supporting legislation that strengthens, rather than weakens, disability protections. • Working with the U.S. Department of Education and the Office for Civil Rights to ensure that individuals with disabilities receive the accommodations and services they need. Washington has been a leader in protecting marginalized communities, and I hope that you will continue this legacy by ensuring that disabled individuals are not left behind. Please do everything in your power to push back against these attacks and reaffirm the importance of disability rights. Thank you for your time and commitment to this issue. I look forward to your response and to seeing action taken to protect the future of people with disabilities.