Section 504 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination based upon disability. Section 504 is an anti-discrimination, civil rights statute that requires the needs of students with disabilities to be met as adequately as the needs of the non-disabled are met.
Region 4 offers training and information on issues surrounding Section 504 through the Special Education department. For more information and upcoming training workshops, please do a search on our
professional development site.
Contact:
Monica Aguirre
713.744.6503
monica.aguirre@esc4.net
Dinorah Cortinas Galvan
713.744.6531
dinorah.cortinasgalvan@esc4.net
Here is some more information and resources about Section 504:
- Who is eligible for Section 504?
A person with a disability means any person who:
- has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities,
- has a record of such an impairment,
- or is regarded as having such an impairment
The definition of “handicapped” person can be found in 34 CFR § 104.3 (j). It states, Handicapped persons means any person who (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment.” While we don’t use the term “handicapped” anymore, the definition is applicable to “a person with a disability” under Section 504.
Most discussion regarding Section 504 in schools focus on students covered under bullet (i), or “prong 1”. These students are considered “currently” disabled. The Office of Civil Rights has clarified that it is rare for school-age students to be covered by the second and third prong of “record of” and “regarded as” respectively, and that these prongs may not be the basis for Section 504 services and accommodations (FAPE). However, these students are protected by the non-discrimination provisions of Section 504. A student who “has a record” is a student who in the past may have been identified with a disability under either Section 504 or IDEA, but is not currently considered as a disabled individual.
A student who had bone cancer as a young child, but no longer has cancer, is an example of a person who has a record of such an impairment, but is no longer considered a person with a disability.
A student who is regarded as having a disability is one who was never disabled but is perceived by others as having a disability. An example would be a student who has a family member with an impairment such as tuberculosis, and it is assumed that this student does too. Any discriminatory action, for instance, not allowing the student who previously had bone cancer try out for the football team, or not allowing the student with a family member with tuberculosis from participating in choir due to the fear of spreading germs, is not allowed.
- What are some examples of impairments which may qualify under Section 504?
- ADHD
- Bi-polar Disorder
- Dyslexia
- Cerebral Palsy
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- and many more.
- What are some examples of non-impairments which would not qualify?
- English Language Learners
- Poverty
- Transiency
- Meer differences between people
- Normal pregnancy
- Relative weakness in a cognitive areas
- Common personality traits such as poor judgment or quick temper where these are not symptoms of a mental or psychological disorder
- Pre-disposition to illness or disease
- Family issues such as divorce or death of family member
For more information on Section 504, click on the links below:
