Section 504

Overview:

Section 504 requires the needs of students with disabilities are met under reasonable accommodations.  Under Section 504, a student with a disability is defined as a person who: 1.) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity; 2.) has a record of such an impairment, or 3.) is regarded as having such an impairment. 

It is the intent of the district to ensure that students who are disabled in accordance with Section 504 are identified, evaluated, and provided with appropriate accommodations. Students with disabilities may be protected by Section 504 even though they do not require services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). Section 504 provides students with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from instruction and other services. 

Definitions:

• “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 and working.  Now included are major bodily functions including but not limited to functions of the immune system, bowel, brain, endocrine, normal cell growth, respiratory, reproductive, digestive, neurological, and circulatory system.
   
• “Substantially limits” refers to the condition, manner, or duration under which an individual can perform a particular major life activity as compared to how an average student in the general population can perform the same activity.  The actual presence of an identified impairment is not sufficient, in and of itself, to qualify a student for an accommodation plan. Only when the identified impairment results in a documented “substantial limitation in the performance of a major life activity” should the student be eligible for Section 504.  
   
• A “physical or mental impairment” has been defined as 
  1. any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory; including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or
  2. any mental or psychological disorder, such as intellectual disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

504 Plans:

A 504 Plan is a written accommodation plan created by the student’s 504 team. The plan outlines the accommodations necessary for the student who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities.  These accommodations are actions or services provided for a student with a disability in an effort to meet the educational needs of the student as adequately as the educational needs of a non-disabled students are met.  504 Plans are reviewed at least once per year by the team, and eligibility must be re-determined every three years by the 504 team.