#50for504 Social Media Toolkit

Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It requires public schools to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to education and school activities. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in places like doctors offices, hospitals, workplaces, public recreational venues, or in public transportation.

#50for504 and #DISrupters are a collaboration of grassroots activists and organizational partners working to defend critical protections for individuals with disabilities. Speak out with us! We’ve created this toolkit to make it easy for you to hit the ground running with one, or all of these calls to action!

Beginning Feb 28th and running up to, or possibly beyond, March 21st when the next Joint Statement is due to the Supreme Court, we need all of our partners and allies to share about Section 504, what it is, who to contact, and how. All of that information can be found below. We have included the hashtag #ProtectKids to support our partner and allies at the American Federation of Teachers, who will be holding protests Monday and Tuesday.  

If you have questions about this outreach plan, we’d love to hear from you! WVAllianceForEquityInEducation@gmail.com

Action Plan

Rotate as your org sees fit, and use multiple messaging graphics

 and texts to cast a wide net of support.

Also Check Out:

Action: Raise Awareness About the Important Protections Provided by 504

&

Action: Contact Attorneys General in States Trying to Eliminate 504 to demand they withdraw from Texas v. Becerra and protect Section 504!  

Texas v. Becerra is a court case that originated in Texas and was filed on behalf of 17 states who have jointly sued the United States government. The states are asking the court to get rid of Section 504. The states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia.

In response, disability advocates from around the country have expressed concern and outrage. They recently issued a joint statement claiming they do not aim to completely invalidate Section 504, but are specifically challenging the gender dysphoria protections listed in the preamble of the Final Rule issued by HHS. We are not comfortable with transgender students being targeted, scapegoated, and threatened - and we do not believe that the AGs will respect and maintain the important protections provided by 504 for individuals with disabilities who need them. The Attorneys General are expected to issue their next statement on or before March 21st.

We are demanding that all 17 state Attorneys General withdraw from the suit and stop trying to take away 504 protections.

Post #1:   SERIOUSLY?! Our kids, veterans, seniors, and other disabled and communities cannot afford to have Section 504 protections taken away. Call your AG TODAY, ”Withdraw from Texas vs Becerra. Protect Section 504. #ProtectOurKids.” #50for504 #DISrupters

Post #2: I am outraged 17 AGs are trying to dismantle Section 504, which offers critical protections for individuals with a disability! This would hurt 69+ Million Americans, by causing them to lose resources they need!  Call them TODAY to say, ”Withdraw from Texas vs Becerra. Protect Section 504.” #50for504 #DISrupters #ProtectOurKids

Post #3: My child has a 504 plan and that means that she/he/they have the support to learn and grow and meet her/his/their potential. Help spread the word &. #ProtectOurKids. #50for504 #DISrupters

Post #4: When my child was struggling with [disease/illness], her/his/their 504 plan helped manage her treatment and schooling with compassion. If the 17 state AGs attacking #504 have their way, this support will go away. NOT ON MY WATCH!

 #ProtectOurKids #50for504 #DISrupters

Post #5: I won’t stay silent while protections for individuals with disabilities are stripped away. Will you? Call your AG to say, ”Withdraw from Texas vs Becerra. Protect Section 504.” And join groups organizing in our communities:  #ProtectOurKids #50for504 #DISrupters

Post #6:  If Section 504 protections were to disappear, it would have a significant negative effect on fair housing, removing legal consequences to landlords who may discriminate against renting to a disabled person & the loss of reasonable accommodations like handrails in showers and non-slip materials on stairs.  #ProtectOurKids #50for504 #DISrupters

Post #7: If 504 goes away, we will see increased opportunities for discrimination in housing and increased homelessness and housing insecurity among disabled individuals. Speak out: #ProtectOurKids #50for504 #DISrupters

Post #8:  If Section 504 is deemed unconstitutional, individuals with food allergies will be largely unprotected in federally funded programs like schools, universities, and government assisted housing. Call your AG TODAY to say, ”Withdraw from Texas vs Becerra. Protect Section 504. Stop misleading your constituents, and instead stand with them.” #ProtectOurKids #50for504 #DISrupters

Here’s the information for the 17Attorneys General involved in the lawsuit: