Section 504
Accommodations for Students Under Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination based on disability. All staff and administrators have the responsibility of ensuring that all students with disabilities are identified, evaluated and provided with needed accommodations and services, resulting in a free appropriate public education.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on disability in any program receiving federal financial assistance. This legislation defines a person with a disability as anyone who: Has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activity. Major life activities may include: bending, breathing, caring for one’s self, communicating, eating, hearing, learning, concentrating, reading, operation of major bodily functions (including but not limited to functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions), performing manual tasks, speaking, sleeping, seeing, standing, thinking, walking, and working.
Section 504 states that no person with a disability can be excluded from or denied benefits for any program receiving federal financial assistance, including public schools.
If the school or parent has reason to believe that, because of a disability as defined under Section 504, a child may need specific accommodations in order to participate in the school program, the school must evaluate the child. If it is determined that a child is eligible under Section 504, the school must develop and implement the delivery of necessary and reasonable accommodations.
For more information about Section 504, please contact your school's 504 Coordinator or contact the Office of Special Education at 970-348-6103.
Click on this LINK to download the Section 504 Parent Rights in English.