Valerie uebelhor ebulhair, section 504 coordinator fayette county public schools, lexington, ky january 27, 2018 this practical session will identify common problems for adhd children and discuss accommodations to minimize the effects in the educational environment. Unlike the individuals with disabilities education act idea, section 504 does not require a public. Whether your child already has a 504 plan or youve just started the process of getting one, its natural to have questions. Section 504 plans section 504 of the 1973 rehabilitation act was the first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the united states. Before section 504, responsibility for the consequences of disability rested only on the shoulders of the person with a disability rather than being understood as a societal responsibility. No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the united states. Further, in some cases, accommodations can apply to more than just classroom assessments. As im sure you know, section 504 requires schools to provide qualified students with disabilities a free appropriate public education. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal financial assistance, which includes all k12 public education, and set the stage for enactment of the americans. The section 504 a legal guide for educators gives you the information you need to effectively navigate compliance from both legal and practical perspectives.
Here, experts answer common questions about 504 plans. In fact, transportation is specifically listed in the section 504 regulations as an example of a service that may be provided to students. Teachers, doctors, or parents can refer a child for consideration for evaluation under section 504. Parent and educator resource guide to section 504 in public elementary and secondary schools. If you have difficulty understanding english, you may, free of charge, request language assistance services for this department information by calling 1800usalearn 18008725327 tty.
Each schools 504 coordinator is the school counselor. Each school district has a 504 coordinator who can answer questions. A student is entitled to a section 504 accommodation plan if they have been identified and the. District implementation guide for section 504 florida department. Frequently asked questions about section 504 and the education of children with disabilities. A 504 plan for those with dyslexia is specifically. The answer book on section 504 fourth edition lrp on. Section 504 ensures that the child with a disability has equal access to an education.
What is the difference between special education and 504. The 504 plan refers to section 504 of the rehabilitation act and the americans with disabilities act. Section 504 and idea for students with adhd disabilities. These questions and answers are presented to help fhwa and its state and local transportation department partners better understand roles and responsibilities to provide accessible transportation facilities under the americans with disabilities act of 1990 ada and the rehabilitation act of 1973 section 504. Creating a 504 plan for those with dyslexia does not have to be difficult. Legally best practices in section 504 plans aasa american. Because these revisions cast a wider net over which students would be deemed eligible for section 504 accommodations, districts now have. To be covered under section 504, a student must be qualified which roughly equates to being between 3 and 22 years of age, depending on the program, as well as state and federal law, and must have a disability 34 c. Printerfriendly version section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 and americans with disabilities amendment act of 2008 consider a section 504 plan for a student if that student. Section 504 sample accommodations and modifications. Only with section 504 was the role of discrimination finally legally acknowledged. The requirement that the school district provide fape to section 504eligible students is certainly not apparent in the language of the rehabilitation act itself. While section 504 defines the equal access requirements for both students and employees, this publication will focus on students. Video presentations on ieps and 504 plans are available at.
The sixth edition needs to be on every educators desk in quick reach whenever you have a question on your legal obligations to students with disabilities regarding eligibility, evaluations, transition services, transportation, parental consent, related services and more. Receives services under idea but needs a medical health plan, positive behavior plan or other school services has been evaluated for eligibility under idea and found. Section 504 civil rights law, protection from discrimination. That covers any condition that limits daily activities in a major way. Section 504 service plan must be implemented with fidelity failure to implement the plan can land the lea in hot water with ocr if a teacher intentionally does not implement a section 504 service plan or iep, then money damages could be awarded under section 504 the standard parents must prove is the lea intentionally. Experts answer common questions parents have about 504 plans, including whether a child needs an evaluation to get a 504 plan. Students eligible for section 504 accommodation plans must meet three criteria.
Section 504 applies to all students who may need accommodations and modifications to be a part of the classroom, whether their disability be related to learning, health, or mental abilities. You can gauge your knowledge of these plan qualifications and why 504 plans are made by using the quiz and corresponding worksheet. The 504 parent handbook is designed specifically for parents who want to learn more about section 504 of the american with disabilities act and how it pertains to education. From eligibility to the development of section 504 plan, every aspect of compliance will be covered. Updated book brings new guidance on section 504 eligibility. When section 504 eligibility is being considered, principals are responsible for staffing the 504 team with individuals. For more information on section 504, contact the office for civil rights at 180042481. Section 504 has a broader definition of a disability than idea. Section 504 overwhelmingly white, disproportionately male. There are actually two federal laws that address the educational needs of students with disabilities section 504 of the vocational rehabilitation act of 1973. The answer book on section 504 fourth edition paperback january 1, 2014 by lrp author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions.
Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. Parent and educator resource guide to section 504 in public. Department of education ed to clarify the requirements of section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973. Section 504 overwhelmingly white, disproportionately male august 2015.
The best 504 plans incorporate teacher expertise and available regular. Section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 states. It is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Too often school districts automatically answer yes, increasingly when the student does. Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The answer book on assessing, testing and graduating students with disabilities third. This specifies that no one with a disability can be excluded from participating in federally funded programs or activities, including elementary, secondary, or postsecondary schooling. Section 504 regulations require that decisionmaking under section 504 be conducted by a group of persons, knowledgeable about the child, the meaning of the evaluation data, and placement options. Testing accommodation for section 504 and idea students. Dot section 504 regulation requires fhwa to monitor the compliance of the selfevaluation and transition plans of federalaid recipients 49 cfr 27. Section 504 service plan must be implemented with fidelity failure to implement the plan can land the lea in hot water with ocr if a teacher intentionally does not implement a section 504 service plan or iep, then money damages could be awarded under section 504 the standard parents must prove is. Before proceeding with a section 504 plan, your school district personnel must. A guide to section 504 is designed to give parents a short overview of section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 as it pertains to cedar rapids community schools.
Section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 texas project. The 504 team also determines whether student misconduct was caused by or had a direct and substantial relationship to the students disability when considering disciplinary exclusion from school. The best 504 plans incorporate teacher expertise and available regular education resources. The sixth edition needs to be on every educators desk in quick reach whenever you have a question on your legal obligations to students with disabilities regarding eligibility, evaluations, transition services, transportation, parental consent, related services and more addressing the latest legal developments and new case law, the updated second edition guides you through the ideas. If your child needs extra help or accommodations at school, you might be able get help through a section 504 plan. It applies to all institutions, including public schools, which receive financial assistance from the federal government. Notice of language assistance notice of language assistance. Yes, a student can potentially receive transportation via a 504 plan.
Most students with a 504 plan are served in the general education classroom. Each school has a 504 coordinator or administrator who can answer questions and assist with problem solving and grievance procedures. The goal is to give the student equal access at school. Section 504 is short for section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, which spells out particular. Find our latest covid19 resources that can help at home, at school, and at work. A guide to the 504 plan for students with disabilities. Section 504 primer education and allergy solutions, llc. An analysis done by the advocacy institute reveals that students with disabilities served solely under section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 section 504 are overwhelmingly white and disproportionately male. It gave a clear explanation of what a 504 plan is and the best way to implement a 504 plan at your school. Section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended, including the preparation of a selfevaluation of all programs, activities, policies, and practices to determine areas of noncompliance, and b better understand the relationship between 504 and the americans. Testing accommodations are permitted under both section 504 and idea. The team process involves schools in identifying the resources they and outside agencies have to support various student needs.
Section 504 handbook kansas city, kansas public schools. Section 504 is the abbreviation for title 34 section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973. Where section 504 is concerned, accommodations are made to bring a student with a disability to the same starting point as a nondisabled student. If you have questions or would like additional information contact sdpc at 18006404553. In general, a section 504 plan describes the regular or special education and. Section 504 coordinator a responsible employee of a recipient of federal funds that employs 15 or more persons who coordinates compliance efforts. Jan 16, 2020 the definition of a disability is much broader under section 504 than under idea, so more students tend to be eligible for services under section 504.
Section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 texas. Section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, with its subsequent amendments, is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities. A 504 plan for those with dyslexia orton gillingham. A section 504 plan helps your child get accommodations changes in how content is taught, supported, or tested that will help them participate in the classroom or other school activities. Department of education, office for civil rights, parent and educator resource guide to section 504 in public elementary and secondary schools december 2016. I have enjoyed having this book as a reference in my school. It is important to understand that all three criteria must be present for a student to be eligible for a section 504 accommodation plan. The disability must interfere with the childs ability to learn in a general education classroom. Contact the district 504 coordinator at 907 7423895.
Get answers to all your questions regarding this other law impacting the education of children with disabilities. Collaboration between school and home is essential to creating an appropriate 504 plan. The team that determined the students eligibility for section 504 and identified the needed accommodations will write the accommodation plan. The rehabilitation act of 1973 section 504 prohibits discrimination that is based upon a disability. Section 504 dramatically changed that societal and legal perception. Each school district has a 504 coordinator who can answer questions about the availability of services and how the process works.
A child has any disability, which can include many learning or attention issues. This book also included examples of what should be on a good 504 referral, evaluation, and implementation plan. A section 504 plan describes the accommodations that the school will provide to support the students education. If a student is qualified under section 504 and the section 504 plan lists testing accommodations as part of the general education instructional program, parentsguardians can request that a school release information to the testing program that governs the actsatap or other such exams.
Sep 11, 20 section 504 applies to all students who may need accommodations and modifications to be a part of the classroom, whether their disability be related to learning, health, or mental abilities. Navigating the section 504 plan children with learning. Guidelines for educators and administrators for implementing. The child may receive accommodations and modifications. The three criteria are 1 a mental or physical impairment, 2 which substantially limits, 3 one or more major life activities. A 504 plan is a blueprint for how the school will support a student with a disability and remove barriers to learning. If you have questions or would like additional information contact sdpc at. Section 504 regulations require school districts to provide appropriate education to students with disabilities. The requirement that the school district provide fape to section 504 eligible students is certainly not apparent in the language of the rehabilitation act itself. Section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 the precursor of ada protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities, including schools, that receive federal funds. Instead, the section 504 fape arises from the section 504 regulations created and enforced by the u. A 504 plan for those with dyslexia orton gillingham online. Section 504 requires that a child who has a legal diagnosis and is attending either an elementary or secondary school is entitled to accommodations that will ensure their success academically.
Highlight main ideas and supporting details in the book. Price new from used from paperback, january 1, 2014. Questions and answers about adasection 504 civil rights. When section 504 eligibility is being considered, principals are. Two plans may be used for children with disabilities, an individualized education plan iep or a section 504 plan.