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Section 504

Section 504

What is Section 504?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a civil rights act prohibiting discrimination based on a disability. The statute ensures that an eligible student with an impairment receives reasonable accommodations necessary to access school-related programs and activities.

Who is covered under Section 504?
A student may be considered disabled under Section 504 if the student has, or has a record of, or is regarded as having, a mental or physical impairment substantially limiting one or more major life activities. Conditions that may qualify an individual for 504 services include chronic asthma, communicable diseases, attention deficit disorder, social phobia, obesity, allergies, epilepsy, and Tourette's Syndrome.

Referral and Eligibility Process
The 504 chairperson shall initiate the referral process, usually the school counselor, in response to any verbal, written, or electronic request by any appropriate party familiar with the student's education or from the school's Intervention Team.

The Section 504 committee, which includes the parent, shall determine if the student meets the requirements of an eligible individual under Section 504 by discussing the following: (a) if a mental or physical impairment exists, (b) if the impairment substantially limits any of the student's major life functions, (c) how the impairment affects the student across the educational program, and (d) if the student is eligible for an accommodation plan.

Section 504 Plan
The Section 504 committee shall write a Section 504 plan for eligible students. Accommodations shall be included in the 504 plan, along with any modifications or services the student may need. The decision-making process shall consider educational services, testing accommodations, and extracurricular activities. Accommodations and adaptations shall not lower or substantially or fundamentally alter Petersburg City Public Schools standards.

Student participation in the Standards of Learning (SOL) and District Assessments shall be determined and documented on the student's 504 plan.

Section 504 plans shall be reviewed annually, and eligibility is determined at least every three years by the Section 504 committee.

Questions may also be directed to Angela Seaborne, Lead Section 504 Coordinator, or Dr. Torrey Manson, Director of Special Education, at 804-518-6249.