Insist EISD Develop & Implement District-Wide Policy Ensuring Protections of IDEA & 504
The Issue
With the current administration’s push to dismantle the Department of Education and the recent announcement of their intent to move OCERS to HHS and OCR to DOJ (the same DOJ that just published a 39 page memo containing their slip opinion that the integration mandate of Section 504 essentially doesn't exist) , and Texas v. Kennedy (formerly Texas v. Becerra) challenging Section 504, there is rapidly growing concern in the disability community about access to education. Disability rights are human rights, and access to an equitable education is a basic human right.
Texas' passing of the voucher program will inevitably result in additional cuts to already severely underfunded public schools, and increased financial pressure on districts. Unfortunately, school districts across the country have been in the news for illegally refusing to provide or even eliminating IEP services and accessible education programs, and announcing plans to move disabled students from their schools, citing budget and funding issues as the cause.
As entrusted members of our community, we appeal to the Eanes ISD Superintendent, Administrators, and Board of Trustees to commit to our shared values by working with us, the members of the disability community they serve, to formulate, implement, and enforce a district-wide policy that maintains all rights and protections guaranteed under Section 504 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), irrespective of what funding may be available and what legal obligations may become. EISD can and should lead the way in ensuring accessibility and inclusion protections for our students, not just in theory, but in writing. Crucially, this policy should not only protect disabled students covered under IDEA and Section 504, but should provide explicit protections for BIPOC, queer, and transgender students as well, and shield all students and staff from any form of discrimination.
We are all accountable and responsible for the protection of the students and educators in our community. Join us in matching our actions to our values, and sign and share this petition to advocate for the rights and protections of all!
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The Issue
With the current administration’s push to dismantle the Department of Education and the recent announcement of their intent to move OCERS to HHS and OCR to DOJ (the same DOJ that just published a 39 page memo containing their slip opinion that the integration mandate of Section 504 essentially doesn't exist) , and Texas v. Kennedy (formerly Texas v. Becerra) challenging Section 504, there is rapidly growing concern in the disability community about access to education. Disability rights are human rights, and access to an equitable education is a basic human right.
Texas' passing of the voucher program will inevitably result in additional cuts to already severely underfunded public schools, and increased financial pressure on districts. Unfortunately, school districts across the country have been in the news for illegally refusing to provide or even eliminating IEP services and accessible education programs, and announcing plans to move disabled students from their schools, citing budget and funding issues as the cause.
As entrusted members of our community, we appeal to the Eanes ISD Superintendent, Administrators, and Board of Trustees to commit to our shared values by working with us, the members of the disability community they serve, to formulate, implement, and enforce a district-wide policy that maintains all rights and protections guaranteed under Section 504 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), irrespective of what funding may be available and what legal obligations may become. EISD can and should lead the way in ensuring accessibility and inclusion protections for our students, not just in theory, but in writing. Crucially, this policy should not only protect disabled students covered under IDEA and Section 504, but should provide explicit protections for BIPOC, queer, and transgender students as well, and shield all students and staff from any form of discrimination.
We are all accountable and responsible for the protection of the students and educators in our community. Join us in matching our actions to our values, and sign and share this petition to advocate for the rights and protections of all!
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
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Petition created on April 7, 2025