[NFBF-L] FW: Section 504 Email Template

Wed Apr 23 14:29:46 UTC 2025

Hello All: 

Here is an update on Section 504 and its lawsuit, to which Florida is a
party. As of now, no state has withdrawn from the lawsuit; 17 states have
joined in Texas vs. Kennedy with the goal of declaring Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 unconstitutional. Despite filings to clarify that
only a specific portion of this section is what the plaintiffs want declared
unconstitutional, the issue remains the original filing, which does ask for
the entire section to be declared unconstitutional. Unless or until this has
been amended or the lawsuit withdrawn or Floridas participation withdrawn,
we will continue to put on the pressure. We are joined in solidarity with
affiliates whose state is not party to the lawsuit, but who can see its
ultimate consequence if we do not stand firm. Below is the template you may
use to make contact with the Office of the Attorney General. I am also
including policy passed by the Board of Directors of the National Federation
of the Blind of Florida on March 25, 2025. 

National Federation of the Blind of Florida Affiliate Policy 0323-2025

REGARDING THE IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL FROM AND DISMISSAL OF TEXAS V. KENNEDY

The national Federation of the Blind of Florida opposes the lawsuit filed by
seventeen states attorneys general,  alleging that Section 504 is
unconstitutional and should be entirely or partially enjoined.  Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a landmark civil rights provision for
people with disabilities, protecting us from discrimination by federal
agencies and recipients of federal funding in public education, work
readiness programs, healthcare, elections, the court system, and more. A
status report was filed claiming Plaintiffs are not seeking to declare or
enjoin Section 504 to be unconstitutional, however, Plaintiffs have chosen
not to amend pages 37 and 42 of their complaint, which directly contradicts
the statement: Count 3: Section 504 is Unconstitutional, and Demand for
Relief . . . d. Declare Section 504, 29 U.S.C. § 794, unconstitutional; if
Plaintiffs demand is granted, it will have a devastating impact on blind
Americans rights to effective communication and reasonable accommodation in
connection with government programs, services, and activities, including but
not limited to education, employment, housing, healthcare, and other forms
of civic life.

The national Federation of the Blind of Florida immediately calls upon the
Florida Attorney General to withdraw their name from Texas v. Kennedy
because of the far-reaching and harmful effects the lawsuit could have on
Section 504 and the lives of blind and other disabled Americans.

  Camille Tate, president

National Federation of the Blind of Florida 

Board of Directors 

 <http://www.nfbflorida.org/> www.nfbflorida.org

Tel: 321.372.4899

With love, hope and determination, we transform dreams into reality.

From: president at nfbflorida.org <president at nfbflorida.org> 
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2025 7:31 PM
To: 'NFB of Florida List for Leaders' <nfbf-leaders at nfbnet.org>; 'NFB of
Florida Internet Mailing List' <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: president at nfbflorida.org
Subject: Section 504 Email Template

Greetings Federationists: 

We have a response to the recent release of information regarding Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This is one of our strongest
protections against discrimination from any entity that receives federal
funds. This includes schools, hospitals and other institutions we use
regularly. A lawsuit was filed in Texas, with 17 other states signing on.
Florida, unfortunately, is one of those states. We ask that you contact the
Office of the Attorney General, Florida James Uthmeier. You may also contact
the Office of Governor Ron Desantis. For convenience, there is a template
below that you may use. Please insert your name, location and any titles you
may hold in the National Federation of the Blind in the indicated spaces.
Your participation may have a positive impact; several states have since
withdrawn their participation in this lawsuit because of the outpouring of
dissent within their states. 

Dear Attorney General James Uthmeier: 

My name is [insert name]. I live in [insert city], Florida and am a member
of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida. I am writing to ask you
to support blind Floridians by withdrawing from the Texas vs. Besserra
lawsuit, which aims to declare Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
unconstitutional. This section of the law protects me and other disabled
people from discrimination due to disability from any entity that received
federal funds. This includes schools and hospitals. Without the protection
of Section 504, all strides in educational and employment for blind people
will be jeopardized. I strongly urge Florida to withdraw from this lawsuit,
which will have a negative, detrimental and demoralizing  effect on blind
Floridians. 

Sincerely,

[insert name] 

[insert titles in the NFB, if any] 

  Camille Tate, president

National Federation of the Blind of Florida 

Board of Directors 

 <http://www.nfbflorida.org/> www.nfbflorida.org

Tel: 321.372.4899

With love, hope and determination, we transform dreams into reality.

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