A dangerous lawsuit is underway that could strip away fundamental rights for people with disabilities. Texas v. Becerra seeks to overturn Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a law that has protected Americans with disabilities for 50 years by ensuring equal access to any programs or activities receiving federal funding. If successful, this lawsuit could pave the way for dismantling the Americans with Disabilities Act and other civil rights laws.
As someone who is hard of hearing, I directly benefited from Section 504 as a child. While attending elementary school as a child, I had access to accommodations allowing me to fully participate in my education, but this isn’t just about me. This is about protecting the rights of all Americans, including Mainers.
With Maine’s aging population, these protections matter more than ever. I urge our community to pay attention to this issue and encourage our elected officials, including Attorney General Aaron Frey, to stand up for Section 504.
Losing these protections would hurt many Mainers with disabilities. Let’s not allow decades of progress to be erased.
Brendan Williams
South Portland
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