Q. What is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?
A. Section 504 is an act which prohibits discrimination against persons with handicaps in any program receiving federal financial assistance. Under this act, school districts receiving federal funds must provide the services necessary to ensure that students with special needs may participate in and benefit from public programs.

Q. Who is protected under Section 504?
A. The act defines a person with a handicap as anyone who has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (ie. caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working); has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment.

Q. How do I know if my child is eligible?
A. The determination of whether a child is eligible and what services the eligible child may need must be made by a team comprised of persons who are familiar with the student (ie. Principal, Counselor, Teachers). The team reviews the nature of the handicap, how it affects the student’s learning in school, whether specialized services are needed, and, if needed, what those services will be. The decisions made about Section 504 eligibility are documented in the student’s file and reviewed periodically.

Q. What are the School District’s Responsibilities?
A. The school district has the responsibility to identify and evaluate students who may be handicapped. Whenever a student is determined to be eligible under Section 504, the school district has the additional responsibility to ensure the student’s access to appropriate educational services (accommodations).

Q. What is meant by a “504 Plan”?
A. The evaluation process for Section 504 is determined by the type of handicap believed to be present and the type of services the student may need. The evaluation often does not need to be as extensive as a full special education evaluation, but it must be sufficient to assess accurately and completely the nature and extent of the handicap and the type of accommodations which will be recommended.

Q. What are my rights as a parent?
A. Section 504 requires that the student’s parent/guardian be provided with notice of any actions concerning the plan for the student. There will be an impartial hearing at Student Services if the parent/guardian disagrees with district decisions.