AHEAD Member Instructions - Section 504

As described on the March 12 webinar, AHEAD invites its members and friends to help push for updated guidance on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 before time runs out!

Below are instructions described on the webinar for how individual AHEAD members can use direct emails and social media to push for faster change.

AHEAD Members, we need your help to ensure the Administration hears from you to release the 504 regulations. Can you please:

1. Send an Email to the Administration 
2. Post on Social Media calling for the release of 504 
3. Encourage Others to Take Action

Please see below for details.

Step 1: Add your name, institution, and your role where indicated to the message below. At the end of the paragraph, include a short blurb about why updated Section 504 guidance matters to you and your institution.

SUBJECT:  Please release 504 Now! 

MESSAGE:

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I work at [TYPE/SIZE OF INSTITUTION] as [YOUR ROLE].

I am a member of the Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD), the leading professional membership association for individuals committed to equity for persons with disabilities in higher education. I am writing to demand the immediate release of a Department of Education Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The current regulations, outdated by nearly 50 years, have left significant gaps in access to reasonable accommodations at institutions of higher education. Failure to update these regulations will result in continuing and devastating impacts on students with disabilities. This is especially important to [our community at NAME OF INSTITUTION / OR “to me in work”] because [ADD SHORT DESCRIPTION OF HOW THESE CHANGES WILL HELP YOU DIRECTLY] 

Step 2: Copy and paste the entire message into a new email.

Step 3: Send this email to the White House at DPCscheduling@who.eop.gov 

Step 4: Repeat step 2 and send this email to the Department of Justice at Ask.CRT@usdoj.gov

Step 5: Repeat step 2 and send this email to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights at ocr@ed.gov

Step 1: Post on Facebook: 

MESSAGE:

Biden Administration release updated Section 504 guidance for students NOW!!!
 
We are calling on President Joe Biden;  U.S. Department of Education; Department of Justice to release updated Section 504 guidance for students NOW!! #Section504 #RehabilitationAct

Step 2: Copy and paste the entire message into the post.

Step 3: Make sure to tag the Biden administration, the Department of Education, and the Department of Justice in the post. To do this write “@Potus”, “@U.S. Department of Education”, “@The United States Department of Justice” and click the account with the blue check to the right of its name. To ensure you are tagging the correct account we have linked the verified ones in the message above. 

Step 4: Click “post” and encourage fellow members and peers to like and comment. 

Step 1: Create a new Twitter/X post.

MESSAGE:

@Potus has an opportunity to update the laws protecting students with #disabilities but time is running out. #Section504 of #TheRehabilitationAct needs to be modernized, and we are calling on @potus, @usedgov, and @TheJusticeDept to release updated Section 504 guidance NOW!

Step 2: Copy and paste the entire message into the post. The accounts should be automatically tagged when pasted into the new post.

Step 3: Click “post” and encourage fellow members and peers to repost and like it.

AHEAD Members please feel free to share these links and information with anyone and everyone in your network and encourage them to Take Action as well. The more voices on this the better!

Below is a sample message you can share with your students:

SUBJECT:  Please release 504 Now! 

MESSAGE:

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a student at  [NAME OF INSTITUTION].

As a student with a disability, I am writing to demand the immediate release of a Department of Education Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The current regulations, outdated by nearly 50 years, have left significant gaps in access to reasonable accommodations at institutions of higher education.  Students like me need additional guidance to ensure we have the tools, support and information necessary to succeed in college. Please help us succeed in higher education by updating the 504 regulation immediately.

Step 2: Copy and paste the entire message into a new email.

Step 3: Send this email to the White House at DPCscheduling@who.eop.gov 

Step 4: Repeat step 2 and send this email to the Department of Justice at Ask.CRT@usdoj.gov

Step 5: Repeat step 2 and send this email to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights at ocr@ed.gov