I am not surprised that Louisiana’s government has risen to the occasion once again to disappoint me.
I know that the “trend of the times” is to lack basic empathy, but I am truly astounded that a group of marginalized people have found themselves suffering from the harmful ideas of people in power.
A lawsuit was filed last September against the Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The section of the act prevents discrimination against groups of people with disabilities funded by the government.
This law is often referred to as the 504 Plan. It provides accommodations and services and protects children with disabilities in schools. It also protects health rights and other human services, including children who are blind and deaf, even under the welfare system.
After reading an article earlier this week that goes in-depth on the foundation of the lawsuit, the first thing that struck me was the use of the word, “discrimination.”
As I continued to read through and try to understand why exactly this law could be at risk in the state of Louisiana, themes of discrimination kept ringing in my mind. It’s ironic that an act once put in place to prevent this kind of prejudice is now vulnerable because 17 states are choosing to discriminate against disabled persons.
Through explanations from representatives like Steven Schwartz of the Center of Public Representation, I was still unaware of what could possibly trigger the threat against Section 504.
To be frank, the reason behind this lawsuit sounded like garbage to me. Schwartz says that most states fear the lack of compliance with large insurance companies. According to the article, none of this was actually backed by facts—just issues that could possibly come to fruition. While his claim may be true, it still doesn’t account for the fact that certain services would be removed, harming disabled communities.
Amenities that provide people with disabilities comfort and care in the healthcare system, just as people without disabilities, are at risk of becoming obsolete. I’m worried that if one large healthcare facility decides not to accommodate individuals with disabilities, it will allow other facilities to follow.
Nevertheless, it’s blatant discrimination to single out an act set in place for people who already are at a disadvantage. This lawsuit is controversial, and frankly, the state is looking even worse in my mind as they are looking for more ways to promote ableism.
It’s easy for these people in unrealistic positions of power and privilege to threaten Section 504 because it most likely won’t affect them. This lawsuit is also a prime example of the dangers of generalization, which is harmful because it belittles the struggles of someone’s experiences. People with disabilities deserve proper representation; revoking this act would be unjust.
Peer groups like the Louisiana Council of the Blind, a local council established in 1972, a year before Section 504 was passed, are resilient groups that bridge gaps for people without voices, equalizing their rights and providing spaces for the less represented. Groups like these deserve to be highlighted, not burdened by the idea of the erasure of their experiences.
If Section 504 is eliminated, there will be no positive outcome. I only hope that it motivates enough people to continue to band together and create communities within communities for people with disabilities. The conversation should open the door and allow people with other abilities to use their advantages for others.
These groups deserve to be protected by the government and their state, not have some of their human rights taken away.
Blair Bernard is a 21-year-old theater performance major from Lafayette, La.
