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Section 504
No otherwise qualified individual with a disability...shall, solely by reason of his or her 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."
Section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973
Section
504 is a civil rights law. To meet the criteria for Section 504 protections,
a child must...
- have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
- have a record of such impairment, or
- be regarded as having such an impairment.
Under Section 504,
a plan may be developed to assist students with disabilities that require
accommodations in order to access the general education program.
Frequently asked questions about Section 504
What is a Major Life Activity?
Major life activities
include: walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working,
caring for oneself, and performing manual tasks.
What are some examples
of disabilities that might substantially limit a major life activity?
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Chronic Asthma
- Diabetes
- Severe Allergies
- Cancer
- Physical disabilities
- Temporary disabilities
Who
decides if a student meets the criteria under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973?
The
school's Section 504 team conducts an evaluation to determine if the student
meets the three prong criteria as disabled under federal law, by:
- determining if the student has a potentially limiting mental or physical disability
- determining if the student's disability impairs a major life activity; and
- determining if
the student's physical or mental impairment substantially limits the
major life activity.
Some examples of assistance
that can be provided in a Section 504 plan are:
- Providing additional time for homework assignments
- Changing the way tests are given
- Seating in the front of the class
- Creating a behavior support plan
What
rights do Parents/Guardians have under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act?
- written notification of any decisions concerning the identification, evaluation, and/or accommodations
- information needed to appeal any such decisions; and
- examination of
relevant records
How
are Section 504 Complaints made?
Written Section 504 complaints that involve the following may be taken to the site administrator and/or Section 504 designee.
- disagreements with decisions or actions taken or not taken in regard to a student's Section 504 evalution or plan and/or
- discrimination/harassment
that is based on a student's actual or perceived disability.
Please note that discrimination/harassment complaints must be filed within six (6) months from the date that the last incident(s) occurred.
Local school site resolutions are encouraged. However, if the complaint cannot be resolved, a written complaint may be filed with the Local District's Section 504 designee.
Where
Can I Obtain Further Information or Assistance?
- At your school site
- At your Local District; and
- At the Educational
Equity Compliance office
Call
or write to Sue Spears, Director and District Title IX and Section 504
Coordinator
Educational Equity Compliance
333 South Beaudry Avenue
20th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
telephone: (213) 241-7682
fax: (213) 241-3312
Serving Students Under Section 504 (Power Point Presentation)
Special Education Office Assistant/Clerk On-Line Training
For Section 504 resources for educators follow the link below:
Council of Educators for Students with Disabilities, Inc.
Section
504 and Students with Disabilities Brochure - English
/ Spanish
Section 504 and Students with Disabilities Policy - Bulletin
No. BUL-4045
Section 504 Reference
Manual - English