Section 504 Services
What is Section 504?
Section 504 is a Civil Rights law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Section 504 provides: "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . . ."
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR), through the US Department of Education (ED), enforces Section 504 in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from ED. Recipients of this Federal financial assistance include public school districts, institutions of higher education, and other state and local education agencies. The regulations implementing Section 504 in the context of educational institutions appear at 34 C.F.R. Part 104.
The Section 504 regulations require a school district to provide a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to each qualified student with a disability who is in the school district's jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. Under Section 504, FAPE consists of the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the student's individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of nondisabled students are met. pasting For more information, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html
Parents can learn more about Section 504 by speaking directly with the Section 504 Coordinator at their child’s school.
Which students are eligible for Section 504 accommodations?
A student with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment, is eligible to receive accommodations under Section 504.
What services are available to students with disabilities under Section 504?
Section 504 requires schools to provide students with disabilities with appropriate educational services designed to meet the individual needs of such students to the same extent as the needs of students without disabilities are met.
How is eligibility determined?
The 504 Team is responsible for considering, on a case-by-case basis, whether a student’s impairment substantially limits a major life activity.
Do students need a 504 plan for health/medical accommodations?
Students do not need 504 Plans if taking medication or receiving health/medical services does not interfere with their ability to participate fully in school.
How are accommodations developed?
The 504 Team determines which accommodations are appropriate for each student based on the nature and severity of the student’s impairment, and individual needs.
Once a student is determined to be eligible, is the student always eligible for accommodations?
No. 504 Plans must be renewed annually by the 504 Team.
Parents can learn more about Section 504 by speaking directly with the Section 504 Coordinator at their child’s school.