Section 504
What is Section 504
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) is a one sentence civil rights law that prohibits agencies that receive federal funding from discriminating against persons with disabilities on the basis of disability. There are also several federal regulations, passed by the DOE, that specifically tell schools how to implement Section 504 requirements.
Determination of Eligibility
To determine eligibility under Section 504 the committee must consider all the following questions:
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Does the learner have a physical or mental impairment?
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Does the physical or mental impairment affect one or more major life activities including major bodily functions?
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Does the physical or mental impairment substantially limit a major life activity? It is important to specifically identify what the substantial limitations are and how they impact learner performance and progress.
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Does the student require Section 504 services in order for his/her educational needs to be met as adequately as those of non-disabled peers?