As Iowa’s education rankings continue to decline, so do the resources available to students–including medical 504 plans.
Iowa joins 16 other states in suing the United States government in an attempt to get rid of the new rules protected by Section 504, leaving students who rely on 504 plans with increasing concerns for the state of their education.
Signed into place in September 1973, these plans were created from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which prohibits programs that are federally funded from discriminating against students with disabilities. This act ensures that students with disabilities or learning challenges will have the same opportunities to get an education as those without disabilities.
Counselor Ellie Curtis believes this is a way for students to feel supported and accomplish their goals. “Accommodations within a 504 plan are important for students with disabilities or impairments because it ensures equal access to education. For many students, these accommodations help to level the playing field to allow them to reach their full potential without barriers related to their disability or impairment,” Curtis said.
Whether a student has a condition such as ADHD, diabetes, speech impediments or epilepsy, 504 plans are created with the help of a medical professional to give the student the help they need in order to thrive in school.
Junior Hailey Dyer’s medical condition developed around the age of 12. Dyer suffers from a misophonia, a condition causing a decreased tolerance to specific sounds; it can result in heightened emotions. Misophonia can be triggered from something as simple as the click of a mouse. ”It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I adopted my 504. It allows me to be seated in specific areas of the classroom, which ultimately helps me focus and be successful in an academic setting,” Dyer explained.
Texas v. Becerra, the case against the United States government, was filed after changes were made to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which not only affects those with medical disabilities, but also ensures that all children have access to education that is specialized to their needs.
For students with 504 plans, their removal could result in students being denied the accommodations they medically need to be successful in the classroom. For some students, this could be as simple as using the restroom when they need it.
On Feb. 18, the Des Moines Register released an article in which author Daniel Van Sant urged the importance that 504 plans have in schools. “This isn’t about giving disabled students something “extra” — it’s about providing basic access to equal educational opportunities. Section 504 can cover providing books in Braille or other formats; it can allow for service animals to be in classrooms or stay in dorms; it can allow a student to leave the classroom to take medications; it can allow a student to use noise cancelling headphones in class to stay focused and calm; and it can give a student who uses a wheelchair a desk at the correct height,” said Van Sant.
“Because of my 504, I’m able to focus more in class, perform better on tests, and be more transparent with my needs,” shared Dyer.
Organizations around the area, such as Hand in Hand, are working to encourage Iowans to email and write letters to their representatives in Des Moines, urging them to withdraw Iowa from the lawsuit. If the states are able to win the lawsuit, this would eliminate nearly all of the protection for people with disabilities and the needs they require.
Under the United States Constitution, the 14th Amendment ensures that Americans have equal rights. By eliminating everything Section 504 protects, it leaves students questioning their future education and the rights they are supposed to be guaranteed. “To be completely transparent, the thought of potentially losing my 504 plan is terrifying. I truly can’t imagine not being able to receive the accommodations I require to learn efficiently,” Dyer said.
