If you think about disability law in this country as a staircase, Section 504 is the foundation of that staircase. Without it, other laws like the ADA would be weakened. Here is what Section 504 does for the tens of millions of Americans who identify as disabled:
- gives children with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other disabilities their 504 plans in school
- Makes sure that any building tied to any federal funding has elevators and ramps
- Protects disabled people from being segregated or placed in institutions without our consent
- Protects disabled parents from having their children taken away without cause
- Ensures that anyone applying for a job in a program that receives any federal funding can’t be passed over because of their disability
The 2024 Updates to Section 504
The 2024 updates are what the six states involved in Texas v. Kennedy are claiming to take issue with, but this case would have broader implications for disability rights. To learn more about the case, or the 2024 updates, visit our Texas v. Kennedy page.
This article was written in plain language. Plain language is a writing style that makes information more accessible to more people, including some people with intellectual or cognitive disabilities.
“This law ensures that the almost 80 million disabled people in this country get what they need in an integrated setting, not shut away in a facility somewhere, but in the community with their loved ones. 50 years ago, Judy Heumann fought so legislators would sign 504. Now we need to save 504.”
Kaleigh Brendle, Judy’s League founder and President