Section 504 The Law You May Not Think You Need.. Until You Do

By Terry Loerch

Here’s the truth most people don’t want to face: disability is the only minority you can join in a split second. One bad car accident. One unexpected diagnosis. One slow decline that creeps in with age, and when that day comes, you will want Section 504 in your corner.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is the reason federally funded programs, from schools to hospitals to housing, cannot legally shut you out because of a disability. It’s not charity, and it’s not a favor. It’s a civil right.

Right now, that protection is under threat. Seventeen state attorneys general are trying to weaken or erase it, and if they succeed, the loss won’t just be felt by “someone else.” It will be felt by you, your parents, your children.....maybe sooner than you think.

Think of Section 504 as the invisible scaffolding that makes everyday life possible for millions, the ramp your aging father uses to get into the post office, the interpreter who makes sure your friend can follow a town hall meeting, the hospital bed that adjusts so your grandmother can breathe comfortably, the captioning on a public service video that helps you understand it in a noisy environment. If you’ve ever been temporarily injured, pregnant, recovering from surgery, or helping an older family member navigate public spaces, you’ve touched the benefits of Section 504 without even realizing it.

As the U.S. population ages, disability will become part of more lives than ever before. By 2035, there will be more Americans over 65 than under 18. With age comes mobility changes, vision loss, hearing loss, and chronic health conditions. Without Section 504, there’s no guarantee your bus stop will be accessible when you can no longer drive. No requirement that your doctor’s office have equipment you can safely use. No obligation for your local college to adapt its classes when you decide to finally finish that degree in retirement. This isn’t just about protecting a vulnerable group, it’s about protecting your future self.

If Section 504 is dismantled, everything becomes optional. States and institutions could legally say, “We don’t offer wheelchair access, try somewhere else.” “We can’t provide large-print forms; bring someone to read them for you.” “We won’t caption this meeting; maybe you can find the transcript later.” That is not the America we claim to be.

The fight for Section 504 is not a “special interest” cause. It’s a fight for the basic dignity and autonomy of every American, now and in the decades to come. Disability rights are human rights. And if history has taught us anything, it’s this: rights are rarely taken all at once; they’re chipped away quietly, while people are busy. Don’t be too busy to notice. Because one day, you may need the very thing they’re trying to take away. And by then, it may be too late to get it back.