Services

Accommodations and related services provided through the Section 504 Rehabilitation Act Program (Section 504) ensure a student with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity has equal access to education.

Section 504 accommodations and/or related services are delineated in a Section 504 Plan that is formulated by the student’s teacher(s), parents/guardians, members of the Student Success Team, Section 504 School Site Coordinator, and other relevant school site staff as well as members of the District 504 Committee if needed.

Examples of accommodations and/or services for students are: assistance on stairways for a student with mild cerebral palsy; extra time on tests for a student with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); nursing services for a student with Type I Diabetes; and use of an FM system for a student with a hearing loss. Establishing and maintaining services and accommodations for disabled students “levels the playing field” and ensures that these children have equal access to education.

The District 504 Committee is responsible for determining if a student qualifies for a Section 504 Plan. A Request for a Section 504 Plan must be submitted by school staff, generally the Student Success Team, along with the necessary documentation. The District 504 Committee will review the request. A Section 504 Plan can only be written with approval from the Committee.

Each school site must have a designated Section 504 School Site Coordinator to assist the site with referrals and oversee the implementation of Section 504 accommodations and services at the site. The Section 504 School Site Coordinator document discusses the role at the school site.

The Section 504 Referral Process (doc) explains the recommended steps for requesting and creating a Section 504 Plan.