Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Section 504 is part of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which is a civil rights act that protects the rights of people with disabilities. Section 504 requires school districts to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to each qualified person with a disability.  Section 504 allows for accommodations and modifications within regular education for students that are not identified as disabled by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Section 504 defines a person as disabled if he or she has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This includes caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. In order to determine eligibility, a team of individuals who are knowledgeable about the student must conduct an evaluation and the results must be shared at a team meeting. If it is determined that a student has a disability under Section 504, the school district must develop and implement a plan that details the needed accommodations and modifications.

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