Section 504 – Rehabilitation Act of 1973
What is Section 504?
Section 504 is a federal civil rights law that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities. It ensures that students with a qualifying disability have equal access to education and school programs.
Under Section 504, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include, but are not limited to:
- Caring for oneself
- Performing manual tasks
- Walking, seeing, hearing
- Eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, bending
- Speaking, breathing
- Learning, reading, concentrating, thinking
- Communicating and working
If there is reason to believe a student may have a disability that impacts access to school, the district will review relevant information and determine whether a Section 504 Accommodation Plan is needed.
Evaluation & Eligibility
A student is eligible under Section 504 only when the disability substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Information that may be considered includes, but is not limited to:
- Grades and academic performance
- Teacher reports and observations
- Standardized test scores
- Medical and/or psychological evaluations
- Parent/guardian input
When appropriate, a Section 504 team will develop and implement an accommodation plan to support the student’s access to education.
504 Coordination
Each school building has a designated Section 504 Coordinator who oversees Section 504 processes and supports the implementation of accommodation plans.
If you have concerns about your child’s access to education due to a physical or mental impairment, or if you have questions about Section 504, please contact your student’s school building.