Section 504
What is 504?
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights legislative act that protects the rights of persons with disabilities. Section 504 provides that “no otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States... shall solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal Assistance...”Under section 504, school districts have the responsibility to identify, evaluate, and to afford access to appropriate educational services and procedural safeguards for these individuals.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal statute (anti-discrimination law), which protects the rights of individuals with disabilities to equal opportunity in programs and activities which receive federal funds.
Section 504 is intended to level the playing field for individuals with disabilities so, for example, students can fully participate in school.
To find out more about 504 school requirements, student eligibility, and other common questions and answers, view the What is 504? document to the right.