Section 504
What is a 504?Section 504 is federal civil rights legislation which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Children who are not eligible for special education and related services under IDEA, but who have a disability within the meaning of Section 504 may be able to access some services under Section 504.
Who is Eligible?Students whose illness or physical or mental disability substantially limits one or more life activities, such as caring for oneself, seeing, breathing, learning and walking, are protected under Section 504. Examples of students who are eligible include children with asthma, diabetes, allergies, cerebral palsy, cancer, HIV related illness, epilepsy, dyslexia, dysgraphia, spina bifida, ADD/ADHD, and children with other chronic health conditions.
What Services are Available?Section 504 provides a legal structure to ensure that students have access to accommodations that allow them to participate in school on an equal basis with their non-disabled peers. Services may include, but are not limited to, administration of medication, intermittent catheterization, provision of services in an accessible location, testing of blood levels, use of equipment such as audio recorders or calculators, note taking, adjusting class schedules, audio books, personalized homework or assignments, following a behavior management plan, testing modification, and extended time on tests.
Access to Section 504 Accommodations:Parents should contact their child’s school in writing to express interest in determining qualification for accommodations. After notification evaluation must be performed in a timely manner if disability is suspected (provision of services may not be delayed until evaluation is completed):
Procedural Safeguards Requirements:Section 504 establishes specific requirements concerning legal rights and the protection given by procedural safeguards:
Complaints and conflicts related to Section 504 are handled by the Office of Civil Rights. Complaints can be filed by mail, fax, email, or can be submitted via an electronic complaint form at: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html Click here to see which office handles complaints in Indiana: https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr?field_state_value=693 Things to Consider:Many children with disabilities and special health care needs can receive services under IDEA/Article 7. Families should learn about both laws. It may be appropriate to consider which provision of services is best for your child.
Section 504 is based on the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Where to Learn More:Indiana’s federally funded parent training and information center, IN*SOURCE, has staff that can provide families additional guidance about Section 504:
IN*SOURCE http://insource.org/ Phone: (800) 332-4433 |
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Programs and systems change often. It is important to ensure that you are using the most current information. Please check https://www.inf2f.org/fact-sheets.html for the most recent edition.
This fact sheet was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $96,750 with 89% percent financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of INF2F and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
This fact sheet was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $96,750 with 89% percent financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of INF2F and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
