Section 504 is Under Attack

We all need to do what we can to protect it.

In elementary school, I started experiencing pain and fatigue daily. I was eventually diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I had to miss a lot of classes, I couldn't do gym class, and I needed extra time to get assignments done during flare-ups. Thankfully for a lot of my middle school and high school years, I was allowed these accommodations, including gym class alternatives such as physical therapy. Of course we tried medications and treatments that could reduce my pain levels, but they didn't always work, and they often added to my fatigue. Without these accommodations, I wouldn't have gotten through my school years.

I was allowed these accommodations because I had a 504 plan. 

“504 plan” was a term I learned long before I really started identifying as disabled. I knew that without it, my difficult school years would have been impossible. I was grateful for it. I wish more disabled children and teenagers could have them, along with a diagnosis for their symptoms, instead of being told they just had “growing pains.” As hard as things were for me, I know I was lucky because of my 504 plan. 

Section 504, the reason I was able to get these accommodations in school, is under attack.

Texas v. Becerra is a Supreme Court case that threatens the existence of Section 504. Seventeen states are suing to get rid of it. Section 504 exists because of the hard work of disability rights activists decades ago. It was an important step for disability rights and our inclusion in society, and it did not come easy. We also owe the Black Panther Party, particularly Brad Lomax, for the essential roles they played in the 504 sit-ins. 

I strongly encourage everyone to do what they can to keep up with this case and to protect Section 504. 

Overview of the case and actions to take

A good overview of the history