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DREDF Hosts “Largest Meeting Ever” to Unite Advocates to Protect and Defend Section 504

Published: Thursday February 13, 2025
picture with the title rehabilitation act section 504 disability rights under attack showing a womans hand on the push rims of a wheelchair wheel and justice scales on top of a stack of books alongside a gavel

On February 12, 2025, the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) held its largest online meeting to date, bringing together advocates, legal experts, and community members to discuss the legal challenge to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The meeting underscored Section 504’s critical importance to the disability community, emphasizing how it provides the essential legal foundation that gives real power—or “teeth”—to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Unlike the ADA, which primarily governs state and local governments and public accommodations, Section 504 extends protections to any private organization receiving federal funds, making it a cornerstone of disability rights.

The Power of Section 504

Claudia Center, Legal Director at DREDF, highlighted how Section 504 was the first federal law to prohibit disability-based discrimination. By covering not just public entities but also private institutions receiving federal funding—such as hospitals, universities, and transportation providers—Section 504 enforces accessibility far beyond the ADA’s reach. It remains one of the most powerful tools ensuring inclusion and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

Section 504 protects Americans living with disabilities in literally every facet of our lives!

Threats from the Texas v. Becerra Lawsuit

Steven Schwartz, Senior Counsel at the Center for Public Representation, provided an in-depth analysis of Texas v. Becerra. Filed in September 2024 by a coalition of 17 states, this lawsuit aims to dismantle Section 504’s regulations, jeopardizing decades of progress. Schwartz warned that if successful, the case could severely weaken disability protections, stripping away rights in federally funded spaces like schools, healthcare systems, and public transit.

In the lawsuit Texas v. Becerra, filed in September 2024, a coalition of 17 states challenged the federal government over Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The plaintiff states are:

map of the united states depicting the 17 states that are bringing the lawsuit to repeal section 504
  • Texas
  • Alaska
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • West Virginia

These states are seeking to dismantle Section 504 and its accompanying regulations, which could significantly impact disability rights protections. 

Why the Updated Regulations Matter

Alison Barkoff, Hirsh Health Law & Policy Associate Professor at The George Washington University, detailed recent updates to Section 504. Having led these regulatory reforms while at the Administration for Community Living, Barkoff emphasized that these updates modernize the law to reflect current understandings of accessibility, intersectionality, and disability rights. These enhancements strengthen Section 504’s ability to hold institutions accountable.

Community Impact and Perspectives

Theo Braddy, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living, spoke about Section 504’s role in empowering independent living. He stressed that without its protections, many programs essential to disabled people’s autonomy would be at risk.

Howard Rosenblum, Chair of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Equality Coalition, focused on how Section 504 ensures effective communication access in federally funded spaces. He emphasized the importance of retaining and strengthening these protections.

Chloe Rothschild, an autistic self-advocate and board member of The Arc, shared personal experiences about how Section 504 directly supports people with disabilities in education and daily life.

Call to Action

The meeting closed with a strong call to action. Attendees were urged to stay informed, mobilize advocacy efforts, and support the defense of Section 504. The disability community must push back against attempts to weaken these protections and advocate for their continued enforcement.

If you are disabled and live in one of the 17 states, Call your Attorney General and demand they withdraw from this lawsuit!

For those who missed the live briefing, a recording and additional resources will become available on the DREDF website.