The Future of Access: What’s at Stake for Section 504

The framework of access is rarely dismantled all at once. More often, it shifts in ways that go unnoticed—until the supports many rely on are no longer guaranteed. That is the conversation unfolding around Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a law that has shaped disability rights for over 50 years. Seventeen states are challenging recent updates, raising the question: What happens if the foundation of access is weakened?

What Is Section 504?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was a landmark law that prohibited discrimination based on disability (National Education Association, 2019).

It laid the groundwork for later legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Unlike the ADA, which applies broadly to both public and private entities, Section 504 specifically protects individuals in programs and services that receive federal funding. This includes public schools, universities, hospitals, and government agencies.

It also applies to employers with federal contracts. These protections ensure that individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against in these federally supported settings (National Education Association, 2019; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.).

At its core, Section 504 ensures that people with disabilities have equal access to education, employment, and healthcare (National Education Association, 2019; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). It prohibits policies and practices that exclude or limit participation (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). The law also requires reasonable accommodations to remove barriers (National Education Association, 2019).

These protections did not come easily. Disability advocates fought for years to secure Section 504 regulations. Their efforts culminated in the 504 Sit-in of 1977, one of the longest federal building occupations in United States history. Activists, including Judy Heumann, pressured the government to issue enforcement regulations, which solidified the law’s impact.

For many, Section 504 is more than legal text. It is the reason a student receives necessary support in school. It allows a patient to communicate clearly with a doctor (Northeast ADA Center, n.d.). It ensures that an employee can perform their job without unnecessary barriers. This law requires schools to provide accommodations so students with disabilities can learn (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.).

It compels employers to create accessible workplaces. It holds hospitals accountable for offering accessible medical equipment (Northeast ADA Center, n.d.). It also applies to digital spaces (ADA Site Compliance, 2024). Websites and online platforms must be designed so that blind and low-vision users can navigate them with assistive technology (ADA Site Compliance, 2024). Digital accessibility ensures that critical information, communication, and services are available to everyone, regardless of disability.

The Legal Challenge to Section 504

A lawsuit is challenging Section 504 (TER Staff, 2025), arguing that recent updates proposed by the U.S. Department of Education (www.ed.gov) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (www.hhs.gov) impose new and costly obligations on states.

These updates clarify and strengthen existing protections. They reinforce modern accessibility standards and set clearer expectations for how schools, workplaces, and healthcare providers serve individuals with disabilities. Supporters believe these changes protect rights already established by law. Opponents argue that they add financial and administrative burdens.

Seventeen states are behind the lawsuit, claiming the updates expand federal authority too far. If the challenge succeeds, enforcement could weaken, leaving individuals with disabilities with fewer options for recourse (TER Staff, 2025).

The states challenging these updates include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia (TER Staff, 2025). Their lawsuit could reshape how Section 504 is enforced and interpreted in the years ahead.

Moving Forward: Advocacy and Action

The discussion around Section 504 reaches beyond courtrooms, shaping conversations in communities, workplaces, and organizations across the country. As legal proceedings continue, staying informed helps individuals understand potential changes and their impact.

Government agencies provide valuable updates on this evolving discussion. Checking in with the U.S. Department of Education (https://www.ed.gov/) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (https://www.hhs.gov/) offers insight into proposed revisions. At the state level, residents in the 17 states involved in the lawsuit can reach out to their Attorney General’s office, where public comments are often welcomed.

Keeping others informed also makes a difference. Sharing updates with colleagues, educators, healthcare providers, and disability advocates helps build awareness and prepare for what may come next.

Section 504 was born from advocacy. Its protections remain in place because individuals continue to speak up. The choices made now will determine the strength of these protections in the years ahead.

Access is not static; it shifts as people recognize barriers, revisit policies, and advocate for change. Each effort, whether quiet or bold, contributes to a broader movement. The direction of these conversations will shape the future of inclusion.

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