Section 504
It is the responsibility of the District to identify and evaluate students who within the intent of the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, need special services or programs in order that such students may receive the required free and appropriate education (FAPE).
For this policy, a student who may need special services or programs with the intent of Section 504 is one who:
- Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities i.e. caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working and LEARNING.
- Has a record (history) of such impairment or misclassified as having one and/or
- Is regarded as having such an impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities but is treated as having such limitations or limits major life activities only as a result of attitudes or treatment of others towards such an impairment.
Students may be eligible for services under the provisions of Section 504 even though they do not require services pursuant to the Education of the handicapped Act, P.L. 94-142 (EHA/IDEA). Students who are identified as individuals with exceptional needs, according to EHA/IDEA are not addressed under this policy.
Referral Process
Any student who needs or is believed to need special accommodations, related services or programs under Section 504 may be referred to the Section 504 (existing building Intervention Referral Services chairperson/assistant principal or counselor) for evaluation. The IRS chairperson/assistant principal or counselor will begin the Section 504 procedure.