Section 504

What is Section 504?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (hereinafter “Section 504”), is Congress’s directive to schools receiving any Federal funding to eliminate discrimination based on disability from all aspects of their school operations. It states, “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability 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.” Since the School District is a recipient of Federal funding, its administrators and staff are required to provide eligible students with disabilities equal access (both physical and academic) to services, programs, and activities offered by its schools. Section 504 is a civil rights statute.

Section 504 regulations require a school district to provide a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE) to each qualified student with a disability who is in the school district’s jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. Under Section 504, FAPE consists of the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the student’s individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of nondisabled students are met.

Section 504 Procedural Safeguards

**If you suspect your child may have a disability that meets Section 504 requirements, please contact your building compliance officer.

Contact information for Section 504

Becky Buchman, Elementary Assistant Principal

Elementary 504 Compliance Officer

419-823-4381 ex. 4009

[email protected]

Jon Rife, Junior High Principal

Junior High 504 Compliance Officer

419-823-4381 ex. 3101

[email protected]

Kevin O’Shea, High School Principal