Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
“No otherwise qualified individual with handicaps in the United States shall, solely by reason of her or his handicap, as defined in section 706(8) of this title, be excluded from the participation in, be denied of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance…” (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794)
Section 504 is a civil rights law. To meet the criteria for Section 504 protections, a child must…
- Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself, or performing manual tasks);
- Have a record of such impairment, or
- Be regarded as having such impairment.
Each school site can provide procedures for the referral of students for a Section 504 evaluation. Subsequent to the evaluation of the student, a determination of eligibility and services that may be needed is made by a team, including the parent/guardian, and a plan developed to assist students with disabilities that require accommodations in order to access the general education program. Your school site principal or the school’s 504 Coordinator can provide additional information and assistance.
Richard McAlindin, Section 504 Compliance Coordinator
Executive Director, Instructional Support
(714) 985-8727