Recap: Landmark disability laws webinar
An Overview of the September 2025 Understanding Ableism Webinar: “Section 504, the ADA and Olmstead”
By Sara Marshall, AmeriCorps KCDC Coordinator
(Watch the webinar here on our YouTube channel.)
Our September Understanding Ableism webinar brought together three panelists to discuss the enduring importance of civil rights protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Olmstead decision. Held on Tuesday, September 16, the event explored how these landmark laws act as both a historical and legal precedent for disability rights as well as a set of tools for inclusion and empowerment to shape access, equity and independence for people with disabilities.
Each panelist drew upon personal experience to illustrate how these laws have supported their right to education, healthcare, employment and community life. Their perspectives and stories spoke to the practical and moral necessity of maintaining these protections amid growing political and economic challenges.
Cynthia Coffin, an Independent Living Specialist at Disability Empowerment Center, reflected on her experiences navigating special education programs from elementary through high school. Relying on Medicaid for critical support, Coffin emphasized how Section 504 and the ADA made her educational journey and professional life possible, affirming the need for continued advocacy in enforcing accessibility standards.
Luna Fera, a University of Oregon student and member of the Accessibility Student Union, spoke from her perspective as a manual wheelchair user and long-time disability rights advocate. Fera highlighted the importance of legal documents to draw upon when advocating for rights that are being violated. Citing the language of disability rights laws, Fera affirmed how the documents can act as a conversational and advocacy standpoint to uphold the right to live and receive services in the most integrated community settings.
Carol Rozumalski, founder of Clear Reach Consulting and an accessibility coach and strategic advisor with more than 20 years of experience, has dedicated her career to helping organizations create more inclusive and accessible environments. She reflected on the inaccessible spaces and experiences she continues to encounter in daily life as well as her participation in a protest at the University of Washington over the lack of ramps on campus. Rozumalski underscored how the protections established under Section 504 and the ADA have not only expanded opportunities for individuals but have also transformed cultural expectations around access and equity.
Panelists also addressed recent threats to Section 504, particularly claims from political leaders that accommodations are too costly or burdensome to implement. They countered this narrative, pointing to evidence that reasonable accommodations are both economically sustainable and socially transformative. As the discussion made clear, these protections are not privileges but instead civil rights that ensure people with disabilities maintain the ability to fully participate and thrive as they learn, work, and live in their communities.
The collective message that emerged was clear: these laws are not relics of past struggles but living commitments to fairness and participation. As new challenges arise, the work of protecting and expanding accessibility must continue and remain rooted in advocacy, solidarity and the belief that every person deserves full access to public life.