The Trump administration has made significant budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Education in recent days.

An announcement regarding layoffs at the education department maintains that funding for special needs students will continue. However, disability advocates are expressing concern that recent cuts could affect special education services.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in federally funded programs and activities.

In September 2024, 17 states filed a lawsuit challenging Section 504, arguing that updates the Biden administration made to the law are unconstitutional.

The lawsuit, Texas v. Becerra, raises significant questions about the extent of federal authority under Section 504 and could potentially limit the federal government's ability to enforce Section 504 protections.

The outcome of this case could have significant implications for disability rights, potentially affecting access to accommodations and services for individuals with disabilities across various sectors, including education and health care.

Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft offer a certain level of convenience for individuals with disabilities.

However, challenges include a lack of accessible vehicles in some areas, driver discrimination, inconsistent training and awareness, and apps that may fail to meet the needs of some riders.

Individuals with disabilities have legal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the right to be accommodated by rideshare drivers and the requirement for wheelchair accessibility.