The Somerville City Council has taken steps to reaffirm disability rights with a resolution intended to bolster such protections.

By Carlie Lombardi

Somerville’s City Council has taken a firm stance in defense of disability rights by passing a resolution in support of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This decision comes in response to a legal challenge from 17 states that threatens to weaken protections for people with disabilities across the country.

At the March 13 City Council meeting, local leaders and advocates stressed the importance of maintaining the safeguards provided under Section 504, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in federally funded programs, including education, housing, and healthcare. The council’s resolution rejects attempts to get rid of these protections and reaffirms the city’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

Section 504 has been a cornerstone of disability rights since its enactment in 1973, serving as a precursor to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It ensures that people with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations in schools, workplaces, and public spaces. However, a recent lawsuit filed by 17 states challenges the constitutionality of Section 504 protections. It initially targets provisions related to gender identity but has since expanded to question the validity of the entire law.

Councilor Jesse Clingan, a leading advocate of the resolution, emphasized the importance of Section 504 in ensuring equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. “Disability rights are under attack again,” Clingan stated. “The lawsuit calls 504 unconstitutional, not just for the provisions it initially targeted, but the entire section, which protects disability rights in education, housing, and workplaces.”

The council meeting featured testimonies from disability rights advocates who show the real-world impact of these protections. Leo Sarkissian, former director of The Arc of Massachusetts, warned that overturning Section 504 could lead to significant setbacks for millions of Americans. He detailed how the law has ensured equal access to education, requiring schools to accommodate students with disabilities and preventing healthcare providers from denying care based on disability status.

Another speaker, Harriotte Ranvig, a long-time disability rights activist, shared her personal experience as a blind person navigating a world that has not always been designed with accessibility in mind. “If you think you’re not affected by disability rights, you will be eventually,” she said. “Disability is a club that doesn’t discriminate.”

Somerville has long been recognized as a city that chooses progressive policies, and this resolution aligns with its broader commitment to inclusivity. Council members emphasized that while federal challenges to disability rights are mounting, municipalities must take a stand to protect their residents. With this resolution, the City Council calls on state and federal leaders to defend Section 504 against legal challenges. Advocacy groups, including The Arc and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), continues to mobilize efforts to counteract these attacks, urging communities to raise awareness and demand action from elected officials.

As the legal battle unfolds, Somerville remains resolute in its support for individuals with disabilities, ensuring that their rights remain protected. The resolution serves as both a symbolic and practical step in advocating for an inclusive society where all individuals, regardless of ability, can live with dignity and equal opportunity.