WHAT IS SECTION 504?
Section 504 is part of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which was enacted by Congress to combat discrimination against individuals with disabilities in services, programs and activities administered by any entity that receives federal funds, including public schools. Section 504 states in pertinent part:
No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States…shall, solely by reason of his or her 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….
Please view our Section 504 Policies and Procedures Handbook for Parents and Students for an extensive discussion of the 504 process and procedural safeguards, including the Notice of Parent/Student Rights.