With the current administration’s push to dismantle the Department of Education and the recent announcement of their intent to move OSERS 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 protecting access to education. Disability rights are human rights, and access to an equitable education is a basic human right. 

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 were elected to serve--to formulate, implement, and enforce a district-wide policy that ensures 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 in the future. As a district with a reputation for being a "Destination district for Accessible Education", 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 rights of the students and educators in our community. Join us in advocacy by signing and sharing this petition, and help me show EISD leadership that we won't accept no for an answer.