Section 504
Overview
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability for programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. Section 504 establishes a student’s right to full access and participation to education and all school-related activities and requires school districts to provide appropriate services to meet the individual needs of qualified students.
Qualifying for Section 504
A student may qualify under Section 504 if they are between the ages of 3 and 22 years old and have a disability, which is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include caring for one’s self, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, performing manual tasks, and learning.
With the passage of the ADA Amendments Act in 2008, Congress expanded the scope of "major life activities” and clarified that a disability determination under the ADA and Section 504 should not demand extensive analysis, which is why the ameliorating effects of mitigating measures (other than ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses) are no longer considered when making an eligibility determination.
To inquire about the identification, assessment, and placement of students, contact your building Assistant Principal or Dr. Carie Cohen, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services at ccohen@rtsd26.org or 224-612-7304.