Accommodations - Celebrate Section 504 - Celebrate Section 504

Celebrate Section 504: Share Your Story; Show the Impact!

Because Every Student Deserves a Fair Chance

Section 504 has opened doors for millions of students with disabilities, including those managing food allergies, by ensuring they receive the accommodations and support they need, guaranteeing equal access to education, and affording them the opportunity to thrive. For over five decades, this vital legislation has empowered students to reach their full potential, creating opportunities, and possibility of a brighter future—not just for individuals, but for entire communities. It's a promise that no matter the challenge, every student deserves the opportunity to succeed.

As we reflect on the incredible achievements made possible by Section 504, we also recognize the current challenges to its essential protections, both in the courtroom and the White House. While these developments raise concerns, we believe this is the moment to come together, celebrate what Section 504 has achieved, and rally to protect its future.

Section 504 is more than a law—it’s a promise. It’s the foundation of equity and opportunity, ensuring that every student, no matter the challenges they face, has the chance to learn and thrive. It’s also the stories of families and students who have overcome obstacles, found success, and achieved dreams because of the protections it offers.

Behind every Section 504 protection is a story of resilience, hope, and achievement. These are the stories that remind us of the importance of this landmark legislation and the work of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR). By sharing your experience, you’ll show the transformative power of Section 504 and inspire decision-makers to keep this promise alive for generations to come.

FAACT invites individuals, families, advocates, and others in the disability community to come together in celebration of its impact and in support of its continued promise to ensure these protections continue to change lives for generations to come. Please join us in celebrating Section 504 by sharing your story and showing its profound impact.

Our needs are individual, but we all need Section 504. Together we are stronger!

✨ Why We Celebrate Section 504 and the OCR ✨

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a lifeline for students with disabilities, guaranteeing equal access to education. By requiring schools to provide accommodations, services, and support, such as allergen-friendly environments and accessible learning opportunities, Section 504 helps level the playing field for millions of students.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in schools and institutions receiving federal funding. It ensures that schools comply with Section 504, investigates complaints, and holds institutions accountable for providing equitable education environments. Without the OCR’s oversight and enforcement, the promise of Section 504 would risk becoming an empty pledge, undermining decades of progress in civil rights and, more importantly, leaving countless students without the safeguards they depend on.

Together, Section 504 and the OCR embody the commitment to equal access to education, fostering success and opportunity for all students.

✨ Celebrating Lifelong Impact: Ripple Effects of Section 504 ✨

Section 504 is more than a set of protections; it’s a promise of opportunity that begins in the classroom and radiates outward. It doesn’t just shape brighter futures for students—it builds thriving adults who enrich their communities and drive progress.

When students receive the accommodations, services, and support they need to succeed in school, they gain confidence, skills, and opportunities that prepare them for the challenges of adulthood. Thanks to Section 504 protections, individuals who might have been overlooked or excluded are instead empowered and go on to become leaders, advocates, and innovators. They contribute to their communities in meaningful ways, from joining the workforce, to volunteering, to inspiring others through their resilience.

When students receive the accommodations they need to succeed, they’re not just excelling in school—they’re building a foundation for lifelong success. Section 504 has helped empower individuals to become innovators, leaders, advocates, and contributors to their communities. These protections strengthen not only students, but also the schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods that benefit from their contributions.

By sharing these stories, we honor the transformative impact of Section 504 and reaffirm our commitment to its future.

Party Crashers: Challenges Facing Section 504

While we celebrate the achievements of Section 504, we also recognize the challenges it faces today:

The Texas v. Becerra Lawsuit (now styled Texas v. Kennedy): This legal case, filed by Texas and joined by 16 other states, threatens to unravel Section 504 by arguing that the federal government overstepped its authority in implementing updates to rules under Section 504. In addition to challenging the legality of the 2024 Section 504 rule updates and seeking to halt the implementation of updated Section 504 regulations, the complaint also asserts that Section 504 is unconstitutional. This puts decades of disability rights progress at risk and leaving students without essential accommodations. The potential consequences could be devastating for students who rely on these protections.
Executive Order Targeting the Department of Education: With the current attempt to dismantle the Department of Education, the enforcement of Section 504, overseen by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), faces uncertainty. Without the OCR there would be no federal oversight to protect students from discrimination in schools, putting millions of students at risk of discrimination. Maintaining oversight is essential for upholding equity and inclusion in education.
A Larger Disability Rights Backslide: These challenges are part of a broader attack on disability rights, undermining and eroding hard-earned gains for the disability and food allergy communities. These actions could leave millions of students vulnerable to discrimination and without the accommodations they need to succeed.

Hope Is Stronger Than Fear; Your Voice Can Shape the Future

Despite these challenges, today our students still enjoy the rights protected by Section 504, and we have reason to hope. Section 504 ’s legacy is too powerful to ignore, and together, we can ensure it continues to protect those who need it most. Discussing the challenges currently faced emphasizes the critical need to demonstrate the lasting value of Section 504 for students and their communities. As the conversation around disability rights evolves, there is a unique opportunity to unite as a community and demonstrate the importance of maintaining robust protections for all students across all educational settings.

Now is the time to educate and inspire more families, communities, and decision-makers to understand the value of Section 504 and its contributions to education and society.

Section 504 is more than a policy—it’s a promise. It’s the promise that every student, no matter their challenges, deserves equal access to education. The stories of families who have relied on Section 504 to navigate food allergies and other disabilities show the power of these protections. By sharing your story, you can demonstrate the true, personal impact of Section 504 and ensure its future remains strong.

Decision-makers hold the power to shape policies that impact millions of lives. But often, they don’t see the faces behind the statistics—the families navigating disabilities, including food allergies, and the challenges of ensuring equal opportunities for their children. Sharing your story is one of the most impactful ways to remind leaders what’s at stake.

By sharing your experiences, you can help decision-makers understand the real-life importance of these protections and inspire them to take action.

✨ Be Part of the Celebration ✨

Here’s how you can join FAACT in celebrating Section 504:

🌟 Share Your Story:
Your voice matters! Whether it’s the accommodations that kept your child safe, the services that allowed your loved one to learn alongside their peers, or the support that allowed you to succeed and thrive, your story brings the impact of Section 504 to life. Write or record your experiences with 504 plans and OCR protections. Let leaders know how these rights have impacted your family and why they must be preserved.

If you live in one of the 17 states that is suing the U.S. Government, our friends at AAFA have templates in place to contact your attorney general and share your story!

Additionally, regardless of where you live, the closure of the U.S. Department of Education impacts us all. This decision is far from finalized, as it requires at least 60 percent approval from Congress to move forward. Our friends at COPAA have created a form that helps you easily contact your members of Congress. Let your voice be heard by sharing your story and urging them to oppose any plans to dismantle the Department.

📣 Spread the Word:
Celebrate the success of Section 504 while letting others know how important it is! Share this campaign with your friends, family, and community. Post on social media and use #Celebrate504, #FAACTadvocacy, #DisabilityRights to make your voice heard and inspire others to join in.

Here is a sample post to share on your social media platforms:

Let’s celebrate the importance of Section 504 for all children with disabilities. This vital law ensures equal access to education and opportunity, paving the way for essential accommodations. We must continue to advocate for its enforcement so every child has the chance to discover their potential and shine.

If Section 504 has touched your life or the life of someone you love, join FAACT in honoring and celebrating its profound impact. While our needs may be individual, we all need Section 504.

https://www.FoodAllergyAwareness.org/accommodations/celebrate-section-504/

#Celebrate504 #FAACTadvocacy #DisabilityRights

💌 Engage Decision-Makers:
Turn celebration into action. Write, call, or meet with your local, state, or federal leaders to share your story and emphasize the importance of protecting Section 504. Stories change hearts—and policy. Policy is personal, and your story can help decision-makers understand what’s at stake and make it impossible to ignore. Every voice can make a difference.

🌟 Educate Yourself and Others:
Understanding the protections Section 504 provides is key to advocating for its future. FAACT offers resources and tools to help you understand Section 504 and learn about the protections it affords and how they safeguard the rights of students with disabilities, including those with food allergies, and share its importance with your community. Visit FAACT's Civil Rights Advocacy Center to learn more about Section 504. Together, we can ensure more people know about and stand up for these critical rights.

✨ Together, We Celebrate and Protect Section 504 ✨

This campaign is about more than the challenges we currently face—it’s a celebration of the victories we’ve won and the hope we carry forward. FAACT invites you to honor the stories of resilience, strength, and success that Section 504 has made possible. Join us in celebrating Section 504, demonstrating its impact, and ensuring it continues to protect the students who need it most.

🎉 Join the celebration today!

Share your story, take action, and let’s show the world the incredible impact of Section 504. Your story, your voice, and your advocacy matter now more than ever. Together, we can keep the promise of Section 504 alive—for students, for families, and for communities.