Hi everyone,
This is maybe too tangentially related to the main topic of this sub, if so pls let me know and I’ll relocate it.
I work in special education law and just became aware that the US Department of Energy has — wildly in my opinion — proposed to change its regulations so that it no longer needs to make its buildings accessible for individuals with disabilities.
I thought maybe there would be a detailed explanation on their proposed regulatory change about why this frankly mean-spirited change is necessary but I gotta be honest, it really comes off like “bc it’s too much of a PITA lol.” The best argument seems to be “well, other laws say we have to” but they don’t name the laws, don’t provide any details, and it’s just not very convincing.
The other major concern, aside from the proposal change itself, is that the department is attempting to exempt itself from compliance under Section 504. If you have kids who get special education accommodations or you get accommodations at work, for example, you’re well aware of just how important 504 is. It is one of the backbones that upholds access for us. Beyond that, it was incredibly hard fought for by disability rights activists. So while this is just one federal agency (for now), imagine the impact if additional federal agencies were to follow in these footsteps — opting out of providing access and accommodations to swaths of the American public just because.
Right now, the public can make comments on these proposed rule changes until June 16! And the excellent Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund has created templates for your use of you’d be willing to voice your opposition to new regulation. Opposing the new regulation will require the DOE to comply with Section 504 by guaranteeing access to their buildings.
You can find them here with instructions:
https://dredf.org/action-alert-doe-civil-rights-and-section-504/
Thank you for reading all that & taking the time to add your comment if you do!!
Source: Ambitious_Pause7140