Nine U.S. states—Alaska, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, South Dakota, and Texas—are still part of Texas v. Kennedy, a lawsuit that targets Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 requires that any program or service supported with federal funding be accessible to people with disabilities. This case focuses on the rights of people with disabilities who want to live and get government-financed services in the community instead of being limited to receiving these services in a nursing home or other institutions.

This case has real stakes for millions of people with disabilities. It could weaken protections people rely on to stay in the community with the services they need.

Across these nine states, The Arc’s chapters are doing what they have always done best. They’re organizing, showing up, and refusing to let this happen quietly.

Texas: Making the stakes impossible to ignore

The Arc of Texas has pushed this fight into public view. They sent a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asking Texas to withdraw, and issued a press release and an action alert urging calls and emails. They also produced a short video to drive public awareness and action.

It’s breaking through. Their work has generated coverage in NPR’s KERA News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Even more importantly, the Attorney General’s office received a significant surge of calls and emails from The Arc’s advocates, so much so that the phone line was intermittently disconnected. They’re asking advocates to keep going and not be silenced! They’re also continuing to elevate people with disabilities through new videos on why community living matters.

Indiana: A direct meeting with the Attorney General

The Arc of Indiana met with Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, along with senior members of his team, to press for Indiana to step away from this case. They raised concerns about what the lawsuit could mean for disability civil rights, including protections for community living, health care discrimination, and accessibility. The door is open for continued dialogue, and The Arc of Indiana is staying at the table.

Louisiana: Coalition-building and accountability

The Arc of Louisiana convened a coalition, developed a fact sheet, and shared it widely across social media, with legislators, and with partners across the state. They have also pressed Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill directly, including following up after the state rejoined the lawsuit.

Missouri: Turning silence into pressure

In Missouri, chapters are doing what grassroots advocacy demands: they’re escalating.

St. Louis Arc has already sent a letter to Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and copied Governor Mike Kehoe. Now they’re running a campaign that floods the Attorney General’s office with emails and phone calls from The Arc’s advocates, making it clear that Missouri must drop the lawsuit. The Arc of the Ozarks is also pushing for answers and pressing for access to decision makers, including through state legislative relationships.

Alaska and Florida: Building the groundwork

The Arc of Anchorage is working with Alaska’s disability community to coordinate a stronger response. They partnered with the Developmental Disabilities Association, the Disability Law Center of Alaska, and other stakeholders for a planning session, and they’ve reached out to Alaska Attorney General Stephen Cox while continuing follow-up to secure a meeting.

The Arc of Florida is pushing for answers at stage agencies.

What you can do right now

If you live in one of the nine states still pushing this lawsuit, your call matters.

Call your state Attorney General and say: “Withdraw [STATE] from Texas v. Kennedy. People with disabilities should be able to live in the community with the supports that make life possible, and [STATE] should not be part of a lawsuit that puts that at risk.”

Then take one more step:

• Ask two people in your state to call too.
• Share this blog and tag your Attorney General’s office.

This is how change happens. Public pressure creates consequences, and it changes decisions. Help us protect rights that should never be treated as negotiable.