Article 504 and How to Fight for the Right to Disability

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It may be difficult to keep up with the attacks on human rights now. exist Texas v. Bebelah17 states filed a lawsuit that could rule out the basic disability law of Section 504 – unconstitutional. Article 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is responsible for accommodation in health care, education and other aspects.

What is Section 504?

Article 504 is the pillar of American disability protection. It noted that programs and activities that obtain federal funds cannot discriminate against persons with disabilities based on people with disabilities. Article 504 also applies to the plans and activities of the Executive and USP. Hospitals cannot deny organ transplantation under Article 504’s disability. Hospitals must provide interpreters for deaf/hard listening patients, listening patients under section 504. Students with disabilities are entitled to free and accessible public education under Section 504, which we often see in the form of the 504 Program. It is suitable for employment, transportation, housing, etc. Most importantly, Section 504 creates a framework for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Regardless of federal funding, people with disabilities receive protection through the ADA in public and private places and programs.

Why do states sue Section 504?

It is essentially phobia. The Fourth Circuit Act is called Williams v. Kincaid It was ruled that in Section 504 and ADA, gender irritability “has nothing to do with physical disorders” can be considered disability. Giving gender dysphoria with the same protection as those mentioned earlier, as “…preventing, limiting, or interfering with other qualified individuals’ access to care by diagnosis of gender dysphoria, or perception of gender dysphagia may violate Section 504.” Opponents are upset that there is no religious exemption for these services. However, these exemptions do exist, In different regulations That will apply.

The 17 states sued are Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Utah, Utah and West Virginia. They believe that Article 504 is a “burden” for the states, especially in terms of gender irritability. Recent strong opposition has led them to “clear” in a status report that they do not want to pass the ruling of Article 504 as unconstitutional, and they do not want to remove protection from persons with disabilities. But, despite this, They still haven’t waived the case or changed the claim.

Let’s be clear: the reasoning behind the lawsuit is transgender, and even if that doesn’t bring the entire evacuation in Section 504, we should fight it. Attacks on trans people include attacks on the rights of persons with disabilities, and it is not the fault of trans people. No matter who has rights, we should fight against it. Gender irritability protected by 504 means that gender care is a right to provide gender care. This is another in a series of orders and lawsuits designed to harm trans people.

Why is Section 504 important?

Ruling Article 504 As an unconstitutional ruling may turn into a slippery slope. If the Basic Law is considered a “burden” (the language spoken by the state), it can be revealed ADA and other disability protection laws. Many people worry that if states win the lawsuit, they can file a lawsuit against anti-discrimination laws that apply to laws based on race and gender.

In addition, Article 504 provides us with legal avenues when handling inaccessible. Although we should ensure accessibility through 504 and ADA, it is everywhere. When the quadriplegic mother gave birth to twins, she was unable to access the accessible room. There are still some voting areas that have no access to people with disabilities in various ways, thus interfering with their voting rights. The process of IEP or 504 planning can sometimes be long and difficult when you are in school. Disability application can take years. Most people with disabilities have a story about when they have to face unavailability. Having these rights in the law means we have a course of action, not a “working to resolve”. Even if we lack accessibility nationwide, these 17 states claim that the little they do remains a “burden”.

Educate yourself

Educate yourself about disability and accessibility. As a person with disabilities, it may be educating people all the time. The FBC has given me the opportunity to do this when I want to, but not everyone has the option.

Some of the books I recommend are Mysterious disability Ms. Emily, Oppose technology By Ashley Shew (I have a podcast section), Disability Visibility Edited by Alice Wong Anti-rational declaration By Tiffany Yu and It’s Heumann Judith Heumann.

You can also follow disability content creators such as Imani Barbarin, Tiffany Yu and Alice Wong.

I highly recommend you watch the documentary Crip Camp.

Watch this webinar recording: Here’s what you need to know Texas v. Bebelah.

what can I do?

Texas v. Bebelah It is currently in a month’s pause. This provides us with a month to fight this lawsuit in various ways.

Call your Attorney General’s Office and make sure they know you support Section 504. If you live in a state file a lawsuit section 504, Tell them to throw their suits down. Calls are the most effective, but physical mail is also valid (letters, postcards, etc.). Let the people around you do the same. The louder the call volume, the more stress the office will be. If you can call every day, it will put more stress on them. Attorneys in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, South Dakota and Texas will be re-elected in 2026 Texas v. Bebelah Will change the way you vote for them.

Share the importance of Section 504. If you have personal stories about how Section 504 can help you or your loved ones, please share these stories (allow them to allow). We have seen that personal stories have a big impact on people.

Support common aid work and grassroots organizations. Some organizations include the International, Disability Rights Fund, Autistic Women and Non-Binary Networks, and the Americans with Disabilities Association.

Make sure to pay attention to the organization of submission of the court documents. The Amicus Summary is a brief introduction to Amicus Curiae, which is actually a summary of “Friends of the Court”. In important cases, and at the time of the court, the summary of interest helps interested parties Texas v. Bebelah. If you see a submission from an organization that aligns with your values ​​and its summary, see if you can donate or voluntarily to them to help them convey their message.

Together we can protect the future of accessibility of this country!