Iowa’s Attorney General, Brenna Bird, has joined 16 other states in a federal lawsuit (Texas vs. Becerra) that seeks to end protections against discrimination for people with disabilities. The lawsuit goes so far as to claim 'Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is Unconstitutional.' Join me in this petition to tell Brenna Bird to drop out of the lawsuit and protect 504.

My son Tommy Elias was born with microcephaly and has lived his entire life with the communication disorder called Mixed receptive-expressive language disorder (DSM-IV 315.32). At age three, Tommy began receiving education services through the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency including Early Childhood Education, Elementary Special Education and Speech-Language Therapy. He attended Blue Grass Elementary School and enrolled in the Muscatine Community School District in 6th Grade. He graduated from Muscatine High School in 2017 and continued in the Transitions program through his 21st year. Throughout his schooling, Tommy had dedicated teachers, para educators, and even bus drivers that all became like family for him.

Although Tommy has been out of school for several years, I am worried about the future. Prohibition against discrimination in education is the foundation of Section 504. It gives individuals like Tommy a fighting chance to make a positive contribution to his community.

Tommy has been employed with Kum & Go for about a year and a half. He has been involved with Crossroads’ Day Habilitation program for about the same time. Last year, he competed in the Special Olympics; attending the Summer Games at Iowa State University where he stayed on campus with his team. He participates in many community-based activities in Muscatine. Through all of this, he has made life-long friendships.  He is part of a community and today, is living his best life.

 

 

 

 

504 establishes federal requirements for disability inclusion. It is a foundation on which mindful consideration is built for people like Tommy. Changes to, or elimination of Section 504 would threaten everything Tommy has accomplished and reintroduce barriers for those following in his footsteps.

Everyone needs a fighting chance to grow, thrive and succeed. Section 504 makes that possible in Iowa, and across our nation.  It’s part of what makes our towns, our state, and our nation great.

Please, tell Iowa Attorney General Bird to immediately drop out of the lawsuit against Section 504—for Tommy, for families like ours, for people with disabilities, and for Iowa.

Sincerely,

Jim Elias

Muscatine, Iowa