1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

I was very alarmed and concerned today to find out that Indiana's attorney general is suing to get rid of section 504 in Indiana schools. I don't know why the attorney general wants to take away rights and protections from disabled and special needs children, but I am asking Governor Braun to urge the Attorney General to drop this lawsuit. I also wanted to share what the 504 plan does for kids in my family. I have children in my family that are autistic and have ADHD. The 504 plan with their schools gives them extra time to finish tests, allows them to have time to move their bodies to help regulate their attention spans, and in general gives them the tools they need to succeed in school and in life. With just a few added supports my family members have become honors students and been able to meet their full potential in school. In many school districts it is difficult to get the administration to give disabled children, kids with learning disabilities, and kids with other special health needs the supports they need, but Section 504 gives children legal protection and ensures they won't be forgotten or abandoned by their educators. Without protection from Section 504, many smart and hard working children will suffer and fall behind their peers, which will have a detrimental effect on the rest of their lives. If you want to enable Hoosiers to be self sufficient, hard working members of society, getting rid of Section 504 is the OPPOSITE of what you should be doing. Section 504 helps disabled children get the same quality of education as their peers, and sets them up to have higher quality of life and employment as they grow up. I strongly urge Governor Braun and the AG to drop this lawsuit and protect the kids in Indiana that need help and support more than ever now. Please do not take away a protection that helps hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers.