With the current administration’s push to dismantle the Department of Education and eliminate DEI programs nationwide, and lawsuits 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. 

Unfortunately, districts across the country have been in the news for illegally refusing to provide and even eliminating IEP services and accessible education programs, citing budget and funding issues as the cause. Simultaneously, our state has passed vouchers, which will inevitably result in additional cuts to public school funding.

As entrusted members of our community, we appeal to the Eanes ISD Administrators and Board of Trustees to commit to our shared values by working with us 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 from any form of discrimination.

We are all accountable and responsible for the protection of the students in our community. Join us in matching our actions to our values, and sign and share this petition to advocate for our disabled, BIPOC, queer, and trans students.