Tag: Texas V Kennedy

Advocacy Works: Indiana Shows What’s Possible

By Jordan Lindsey, Executive Director, The Arc & UCP California Collaboration

At a time when the rights of people with disabilities face renewed legal threats, The Arc of Indiana has delivered a powerful reminder: advocacy works, and it matters now more than ever.

As of May 2026, Indiana has officially withdrawn from Texas v. Kennedy, a multi-state lawsuit that poses a serious threat to the core principles of the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. decision. At stake were key protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, including protections that help ensure people with disabilities can live, work, and receive services in their communities, rather than being unnecessarily institutionalized.

This lawsuit initially included 17 states and sought to challenge the federal integration mandate by arguing that these protections were unconstitutional. The implications were profound: a successful challenge could have weakened decades of progress toward community inclusion.

But advocates didn’t stay silent.

The Arc of Indiana, alongside self-advocates, families, and partners, mobilized quickly and effectively. They elevated the voices of Hoosiers with disabilities, made the risks clear, and ensured that decision-makers understood what was truly at stake. Because of this sustained and strategic advocacy, Attorney General Todd Rokita withdrew Indiana from the lawsuit.

This is a meaningful victory—and a testament to the power of collective action.

At the same time, the fight is not over. The lawsuit continues, now with fewer states, and is moving toward the Supreme Court. The outcome could still impact disability rights nationwide, including here in California.

That’s why Indiana’s success is both a moment to celebrate and a call to action.

Progress happens when people speak up, organize, and stay engaged. It happens when communities refuse to accept policies that put rights at risk. And it depends on all of us continuing to advocate at the local, state, and national levels.

The Arc of Indiana has shown what’s possible. Now it’s up to all of us to keep the momentum going.

Because advocacy works, and we must keep fighting.

Update On Legal Battle Attacking Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal funding. It ensures equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities, similar to other civil rights laws that protect against discrimination based on race, religion, or gender.

Seventeen states and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) brought a lawsuit that included a claim that section 504 is unconstitutional, therefore threatening protections for people with disabilities, including students.

This lawsuit, known as Texas v. Kennedy (formerly Texas v. Becerra), is being fought in the court and The Arc is heavily involved in the advocacy to protect section 504.  In a recent status report to the court, the 17 states who brought the lawsuit and HHS filed a Joint Status Report asking the court to continue the pause in the case. The states said they are no longer challenging the constitutionality of Section 504. This concession shows the power of the disability community’s advocacy. However, the lawsuit continues and remains a significant threat to the rights of people with disabilities.

The 17 states continue to challenge the updated Section 504 regulations which include: the right to receive services in the community instead of institutions, a ban on disability discrimination in medical treatment decisions including—life-saving healthcare, organ transplants, allocation of scarce resources like ventilators during a pandemic—accessible medical equipment, websites, and kiosks, reasonable accommodations and effective communication.

The Arc will continue the fight to protect civil rights for people with disabilities.

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