Defend Section 504, protect disability rights in education

Ending Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 poses a grave threat to the rights and education of individuals with disabilities. Section 504 is a vital civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in any program or activity receiving federal funds. It ensures that students with disabilities have access to the accommodations and support they need to receive a free and appropriate public education. Eliminating Section 504 would strip away crucial protections and jeopardize the educational opportunities of millions of students with a wide range of disabilities, including visual impairments, chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, and learning disabilities. This lawsuit seeks to not only exclude gender dysphoria from the definition of disability but to declare Section 504 unconstitutional entirely. If successful, it would erase over 50 years of progress in safeguarding the rights of people with disabilities to access education, employment, and public services without facing discrimination. The disruption this would cause to students' lives and the additional barriers it would create are unacceptable. We must defend the principles of inclusion, equal opportunity, and non-discrimination enshrined in Section 504. Protecting the civil rights of individuals with disabilities should be a priority, not an afterthought. I urge you to take action to preserve Section 504 and ensure students with disabilities continue receiving the support and accommodations they need to thrive.