Skip To Main Content

Logo Image

Logo Title

Section 504

WHAT IS SECTION 504?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if a federal civil rights law designed to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination. Section 504 regulations require public school district to provide appropriate, free education to students with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability.        

"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."                     - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973    

The law also requires that schools provide reasonable accommodations for children with disabilities so that they can fully participate in regular education classes with their peers. A 504 Services Plan ensures that all children receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The 504 Services Plan is a written document prepared by a child’s school that outlines the school’s obligation to provide reasonable accommodations for a student with a disability.    

MISD is committed to full compliance with all regulations under Section 504, so that all student's may receive the appropriate services and accommodations needed to fully access the learning environment. It is the intent of MISD to ensure that students in our district who are considered disabled under Section 504 are identified, evaluated and provided with appropriate educational accommodations.    

ELIGIBILITY 
Individuals may be found eligible for Section 504 services if they meet one of the following conditions:
1.) If he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
2.) If he or she has a record of such an impairment; or
3.) If he or she is regarded as having such an impairment.  

Impairments that are episodic or in remission may also be covered under Section 504 if the impairment would substantially limit a major life activity when active.    

What is an "impairment" under Section 504? 
Under Section 504, an impairment may include any disability, long-term illness, or various mental or physical disorder that substantially limits a student's ability to perform one or more major life activities. There is no list of eligible or ineligible disabilities under Section 504. Each student will be assessed for eligibility for services under Section 504 on an individual case-by-case basis. Examples of types of conditions that might result in Section 504 eligibility include chronic asthma, major depression, cerebral palsy, severe allergies, and ADHD.    

What is the difference between an impairment and a disability? 
Many people have impairments.  An impairment is only considered a disability under Section 504 when it substantially limits one or more major life activities.      

What is a "major life activity"? 
Section 504 law gives a list of the types of major life activities that may be considered when determining eligibility.  However, this list is not exhaustive.  Major life activities include but are not limited to:  

Caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, working, and major bodily functions to include functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.    

What does the term "substantially limits" mean?
To meet the definition of a person with a disability under Section 504, the impairment must "substantially limit" the person's ability to perform one or more major life activities. Section 504 does not provide a strict definition of this term, and new regulations suggest that the term "substantially limits" should be interpreted broadly, and is not meant to be a demanding standard. In a practical sense, under Section 504, substantially limits can be determined by a comparison of an individual's performance of a major life activity to the performance of the same major life activity by most people in the general population. This type of comparison usually does not require scientific, medical or statistical analysis.    

ACCOMMODATIONS
For schools to provide an appropriate education for students who are protected under Section 504, accommodations are generally necessary. For the most part, accommodations for this group of students are inexpensive, commonsense modifications that help give students equal access to learning and extracurricular activities. Section 504 requires schools to make reasonable accommodations to help student's with disabilities perform as effectively as their peers in the general education setting. 504 accommodations are not designed to fundamentally alter the program, standards, or what students are expected to know and be able to do. Instead, accommodations under Section 504 are meant to give all students equal access to their learning environment.   

Examples of 504 accommodations may include:

  • Allowing a student in a wheelchair to leave the classroom a few minutes early to account for longer passing time   
  • Providing a student who is visually impaired books with larger print to keep up with schoolwork
  • Allowing a person with ADD or other learning disability extra time for test taking
  • Providing a student with low-distraction work areas
  • Allowing a student with hyperactivity to keep a small object in their desk to manipulate quietly

It's important to note that it is the teacher’s responsibility to quietly and discreetly provide a student’s accommodation without drawing any undue attention to the student. Students with a disability should receive accommodations that are necessary to their individual needs. Accommodations under Section 504 are not intended to give student's an advantage over their peers, and only accommodations related to the child's impairment are provided.

I think my child might have a disability.  What do I do now?
First and foremost, talk to your child's classroom teacher about your concerns. He or she will be able to talk with you about your child's progress, behavior and any other concerns that you might have about your child as they relate to the academic setting. The teacher will be able to connect you with the school's 504 Coordinator, who can talk to you more about the 504 evaluation process and procedures, as well as other educational options that might be appropriate for your child.     

Anyone, including a parent, can initiate a 504 referral. Your child's school can provide you with a copy of the 504 Referral Form if you wish to initiate an evaluation.   

Section 504 Operational Guidelines (2023)

 

The District designates and authorizes the following person as the ADA/Section 504 coordinator to be responsible for coordinating the District's efforts to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, which incorporates and expands upon the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, for students:

ADA/Section 504 Coordinator

Melissa Wolfe

Faculty Information

Department(s)
Special Programs, SPED Office
Title(s)
Special Programs Director

Contact Information

Email
(Primary)
School Phone
972-435-1080