About Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law, overseen by the Office for Civil Rights, that protects individuals with disabilities. Its purpose is to prevent discrimination and to ensure that students with disabilities have access to the same educational opportunities and benefits as their non-disabled peers.

Under Section 504, “no otherwise qualified individual with handicaps in the United States shall, solely by reason of his or her handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance” (29 U.S.C. 794).

Evaluation and Referral

Students may be referred for a Section 504 evaluation by parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, or any district employee. Evaluations help determine whether a student has a disability and requires specialized instruction, accommodations, or services.

If you believe your child may have a disability, or if you have documentation suggesting a need for support, please contact your campus Section 504 Coordinator for guidance.

Eligibility Under Section 504

To qualify for protection and accommodations under Section 504, a student must meet at least one of the following conditions:

1. Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

2. Have a record of such an impairment.

3. Be regarded as having such an impairment.

Eligibility determinations are made through an individualized, case-by-case review.