Section 504

Overview

Section 504 is a federal civil rights law that is designed to eliminate disability discrimination in programs and activities that receive federal funds. Since all public school districts receive federal funds, all public school districts must comply with Section 504. Under Section 504, denying a disabled student a free appropriate public education constitutes disability discrimination. In a school setting, Section 504 applies to students who:

1. have a physical or mental impairment
2. that substantially limits one or more major life activities and
3. because of the disability, require accommodations, special instruction, and/or services in order to participate in and/or benefit from school as adequately as their nondisabled peers.

504 Coordinator