Petition to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier: Protect the Rights of Disabled Floridians – Drop the Lawsuit Against Section 504 

To: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier 

Florida is home to over 3.3 million people with disabilities, from children in our schools, to workers powering our economy, to retirees enjoying the Sunshine State. For more than 50 years, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act has ensured that Floridians with disabilities can access education, healthcare, and jobs without discrimination. 

Now, Florida has joined Texas v. Becerra, a lawsuit seeking to eliminate Section 504 entirely. While some claim this lawsuit targets only new rules, it argues that Section 504 itself is unconstitutional, attacking the rights of people with disabilities. If successful, it will rip away critical protections that have helped millions of Floridians live, learn, and work with dignity. 

Why This Matters for Florida 

As a state known for its tourism, top-ranked colleges, and thriving workforce, Florida should be leading the way in accessibility, not working to dismantle the rights of disabled Floridians. 

If Florida stays in this lawsuit and it succeeds: 

· Florida’s K-12 students will lose protections that guarantee their right to an education

· Florida’s college students may be denied assistive technology, extended test time, and other support that helps them earn their degrees

· Disabled workers could face discrimination with no legal recourse

· Seniors and residents with disabilities could be deprived of accessible medical care

Florida’s disabled residents, families, and caregivers deserve assurance that their state is fighting for them, not against them. 

Attorney General Uthmeier: Stand Up for Floridian's with Disabilities

· Withdraw Florida from Texas v. Becerra and stop the elimination of disability protections

· Be honest with Floridians about what this lawsuit does

· Publicly affirm your commitment to protecting disability rights 

· Meet with Floridians with disabilities, parents, and advocates to hear directly from those impacted by Section 504. 

Florida should be expanding access and opportunities, not leading efforts to roll back hard-won rights. Let’s move forward, not backward. 

Attorney General Uthmeier, you have an opportunity to stand up for our children. Will you protect the civil rights of Florida’s disabled residents, or will you be remembered for trying to take them away? 

Signed,

Jennifer Jenkins, Chair, Educated We Stand
Amy Roub, Florida Volunteer State Director, Defense of Democracy Florida
Jeannina Perez, National Campaign Director, MomsRising Together

Sign this petition and tell Attorney General James Uthmeier: Disability rights must not be erased. Protect Floridian's disability rights!