Parent's Guide to Special Education One of the resources the Office of Special Education has to offer is the Parent's Guide to Special Education. This document is posted on their
website. The booklet provides parents with information to assist in their participation with the identification process and provision of educational services for children with disabilities.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights statute which provides that; “No otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States…shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance or under any program or activity conducted by any Executive agency or by the United States Postal Service.” (20 USC Section 794). While Section 504 requires that the disability “substantially limit a major life activity” such as walking, it need not necessarily adversely affect the students educational performance.
Many 504 referrals have included some type of medical condition such as ADHD, Bipolar, etc. it is not a requirement for the formal medical diagnosis to be present for a child to be considered for or found eligible for a 504 Accommodation Plan. However, when a student has or is reported to have a medical condition, the 504 team will request current medical information. This medical information will be fully considered but not be the sole deciding factor in eligibility determinations or plan development.
If you suspect that your child or your student needs an evaluation under Section 504 please contact your building counselor to begin the process.