Section 504

Section 504 is a federal law which protects the rights of persons with qualifying disabilities. It requires that recipients of federal funds (such as school districts) make their programs and activities accessible to all persons with disabilities. A person is considered to have a disability if he or she:

• has a mental or physical disability impairment which substantially limits one or more of the person’s major life activities;
• has a record of such impairment; or
• is regarded as having such an impairment.

In general terms, this means that without accommodations and/or interventions, the student would not have a comparable opportunity to an appropriate education.

Section 504 falls under the responsibility of the general education program. At each school, the responsibility for ensuring Section 504 compliance rests with the building administrator, or at the secondary level, a student’s school counselor. You may call these assigned persons with questions at any time.

The following resources may also be helpful:

• Parent Rights Manual
• Parents Guide to 504 Plans
• Cedar Falls 504 Plan Document
• Iowa Department of Education Guidance on 504 Plans
• Section 504 Procedures Manual - Educator Guide
• Section 504 Procedures Manual - Parent Guide
• 504 Plan Resources from Central Rivers AEA