What is Section 504?

Section 504 is a federal law which ensures individuals with disabilities have the same access to education that individuals without disabilities have.  

Who Qualifies Under Section 504?

A student who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities (i.e. caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working or learning) is a disabled person for the purposes under Section 504. 

Who to Talk to About Questions or Concerns for Section 504?

• Having ongoing communication between parents/guardians and teachers will help to avoid misunderstandings about the student's 504 plan.
• If a parent/guardian or teacher has a question or concern about a student’s 504 plan, they should contact the ESS. 

Examples of Accommodations: 

• A student with a wheel chair may require special seating.
• A student with significant attention issues may require monitoring of an assignment notebook or extra time for testing.
• A student with a hearing impairment may need an interpreter to sign in class.

For further information about Section 504, follow the link below:

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html