Children in Classroom

If your child has any disability, you may be aware of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. So, what does it mean, and how does it apply to your child in a public school?

Section 504 primarily focuses on protecting the rights of people with disabilities. This section applies to organizations and bodies that receive federal funds.

When it comes to public schools’ accommodations and regulations, section 504 requires that children with disabilities should have access to educational programs and services that other children without disabilities have.

Section 504 Eligibility

Your child may be eligible for help under section 504 even if they are not eligible under IDEA. Referring your child for section 504 services is the first step to getting assistance. This could mean requesting the school to consider your child’s admissibility under section 504.

Any other school staff may also identify a student’s unique need for special help and raise a concern. In this case, the parent meets with the school staff to discuss all relevant information about the student to find out if the student has a disability that prevents them from performing major life activities.

The school will look at the following:

  • If the student has a physical or mental disability
  • Whether the student’s disability limits major life activities, such as learning, breathing, reading, communicating, practicing self-care, eating, hearing, seeing, speaking, and performing manual tasks
  • The types of accommodations the student requires to receive free and appropriate public education (FAPE)

How Section 504 Applies to Public Schools

While you may not know more about how section 504 applies to public schools, most of us know that the law requires all public schools to have accommodations that allow disabled students easy access to classrooms, recreational areas, bathrooms, and so on. You should also know that section 504 requires all children with disabilities to receive an appropriate education.

Let’s Learn More About What Section 504 Requires

Provide FAPE for Students with Disabilities

FAPE stands for “free appropriate public education”. Under section 504, appropriate means supporting a child and giving them access to the same education other students are getting. This section requires schools to evaluate students with disabilities and provide them with appropriate services and support at no cost.

Customized Services to Meet Individual Needs

Under section 504, there should be custom education programs for students with disabilities to help them meet their individual needs, just like other nondisabled students. This can include supplemental services, special education, or related aids to accommodate their special needs.

However, this does not mean that students with disabilities cannot participate in nonacademic services. The law provides that schools should allow persons with disabilities to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, special clubs, recreational activities, and health services, among others.

Students with Disabilities to Learn with Nondisabled Students

Section 504 requires that schools should place students with disabilities and students without disabilities in the same setting, unless the needs of the student cannot be fully met in the same environment, even with the aid of supplementary services.

All students should participate in both academic and nonacademic services, regardless of their ability, to a level suitable to their specific needs.

Applied Development LLC Offers 504 Compliance Services

Applied Development LLC believes every child has a right to appropriate education and communication.

We help disabled students communicate through sign language interpretation, CART, and reader services. We work with public schools to ensure 504 compliance, policy, and complaint resolution.

Call us at 410.571.4016 or fill out our easy contact form to learn more about section 504 compliance.

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