14 children with disabilities sue Abbott to end ban on mask mandates in schools

[TexasTowelie]

Opening a new legal front against Gov. Greg Abbott's ban on mask mandates, a disability rights group has filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the prohibition should be struck down for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The lawsuit, filed in Austin by Disability Rights Texas on behalf of 14 children with cerebral palsy, asthma and other conditions that put them at a higher health risk, said Abbott's executive order banning mandatory masks prevents their safe return to school amid a worsening COVID-19 outbreak.

The result is an "unlawful barrier" that is preventing school districts from providing a safe learning environment for their most vulnerable students, the lawsuit said.

"Having to make a choice between my daughter’s education or her life — what kind of choice is that?" said Julia Longoria, whose 8-year-old attends school in San Antonio and is part of the lawsuit.

Read more: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/08/18/mask-mandates-14-children-disabilities-sue-abbott-end-ban/8176525002/

[Budi]

1. K & R

[gademocrat7]

2. K&R

Hope they win this case. Abbott is a vile man.

[TexasTowelie]

3. The one thing I will see about this case is that it is invoking the ADA.

Since that involves federal law, it might provide a means to circumvent the Texas Supreme Court.

[LeftInTX]

4. Yep!

[Budi]

5. Wonder if Omaha public schools could use this as a legal way to enforce mask mandates

The Sch Board voted down mask mandates by 1 vote.

Here's a screenshot of today's debacle. This is only week 2 of school opening.



My 4th grade grandson is in a different school the the one mentioned (same district) & yesterday it was announced there was positive covid person in his classroom.

Today 2 more kids were absent.
So far they haven't offered an online option if you want to keep your kid home & safe, nor do they have a mask mandate issued, BECAUSE the 1 school board member voted it down when they set that policy.
Teachers, staff, Superintendent, & Principal all fought to have the mask mandate in place when school began 1 1/2 weeks ago.

But the board voted NOPE, "you're on your own kids"!

Now into week 2, this is the result of that selfish, stupidity.

TexasTowelie
I forwarded the article in your link & told her to send it to the School where her son attends & to the Principal & Superintendent of their District.
Put it online in the Omaha Public School website & in all her local chat sites.

Maybe Omaha schools can contact those named in your link to get advice how they too can approach the mask mandate from the Federal Disability Rights Act.

Millard ISD is one of the best & largest in Omaha.

Thanks for your OP.

[TexasTowelie]

6. Please feel free to use the link.

Hopefully, the officials at your grandson's school district will evaluate the circumstances to that everyone is kept safe.

[Budi]

7. I forwarded it to my daughter & told her to start posting it to every parent & school group she can.

It'll get passed along to the right people.

Thank you.
Enough is enough.
Have to keep fighting back till they have nothing left to use.

[LeftInTX]

8. Abbott's reponse:

Governor Abbott cares deeply about the health and safety of disabled students, as he does for all Texas students. Since his accident that left him paralyzed, the Governor has worked throughout his career to protect the rights of all those with disabilities in Texas.”

Hey, I'm in a wheelchair! I even cared about special ed! (not)

[TexasTowelie]

9. Reading between the lines of that statement, I gathered this:

Greg Abbott did not care about the disabled until he became disabled himself. At that point, he realized that he should appear to be an advocate for the disabled because it serves his own personal interests.