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504 Information

What is Section 504?

The Law

Section 504 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. The law provides:

No otherwise qualified individual with a disability. . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. . . .29 USC § 794

One of the principal purposes of Section 504 is to ensure that students with disabilities are not denied access to educational facilities, programs, and opportunities on the basis of their disability. 

Eligibility

For a student to have a disability which may be protected under this law, he or she must:

  1. have a mental or physical impairment,
  2. which substantially limits,
  3. one or more major life activities.

To be considered an “eligible student” under Section 504, all three criteria must be fulfilled.

Under Section 504, schools that receive federal funds may not discriminate against eligible students with disabilities. Section 504 also protects students who have a record of a disability, and students who are regarded as having a disability. Discrimination against students in either category is prohibited under Section 504.

FAPE

Section 504 requires the District to provide a free appropriate public education (“FAPE”) to each eligible student who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity. Under Section 504, FAPE consists of the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the student’s individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students are met and in accordance with Section 504 requirements pertaining to educational setting, evaluation, placement, and procedural safeguards. The FAPE obligation extends to all students described in this paragraph, regardless of the nature or severity of their disability.

Policies

FAQ's

CONTACTS

Need help with Section 504 services? Whether your child is already enrolled or just joining us, we're here to help. Please contact your student’s principal or reach out to our District Coordinator:

  • Ryan Tripp
  • 517-841-8100
  • ryan.tripp@wsdpanthers.org