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Somerville Council adopts resolution backing Section 504, condemning legal challenges to disability rights
Summary
The Somerville City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 after speakers from disability advocacy organizations and council members warned that recent litigation could roll back protections used in education, health care and housing.
The Somerville City Council on March 13 unanimously approved a resolution supporting Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and condemning legal challenges to disability protections.
The resolution, sponsored by Councilor Klingen and co-sponsors, says the city stands with residents and disability advocates against lawsuits filed in multiple states that council speakers and members said seek to narrow or erase longstanding federal disability protections.
Why it matters: Speakers and councilors told the chamber that Section 504 — the 1973 statute that predates the Americans with Disabilities Act and applies to programs receiving federal funds — is a foundation for educational and housing accommodations used by thousands. Advocates told the council that state-level lawsuits challenging recent federal rulemaking could affect sign-language interpretation, accessible medical equipment and classroom accommodations.
Former Arc of Massachusetts director Leo Sarkisian, who addressed the council remotely, framed the dispute as a wide-ranging threat to disability protections. “We strongly support the proposed resolution,” he said, and urged the council to adopt it that night.
Harriet Randwick, who identified herself as a resident and disability advocate, described both personal experiences and historical disability rights actions, and appealed to the council to act. “If you think you’re not disabled, you will be eventually. We like to say disability is a club that doesn’t discriminate,” she said.
Councilors speaking in support tied the resolution to local and state action. Councilor Klingen described the resolution as responding to requests from the city’s persons-with-disability advocates; Councilor Wilson and Councilor Burnley recounted family or professional experiences that they said showed why the protections matter in schools, workplaces and housing; Councilor McLaughlin warned that litigation targeting one group can expand to affect many others.
Council action and next steps: The council approved the resolution unanimously and, per the motion on the floor, the clerk was directed to record the vote and transmit the resolution as prescribed by council rules. No implementation action beyond the resolution was adopted at the meeting.
Ending: Councilors said they expect the resolution to serve primarily as a public statement supporting state- and national-level advocacy and to be shared with the mayor and state delegation.
