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504 Student Accommodations

504 Student Accommodations

504 Student Plans

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a Federal civil rights law that is designed to eliminate disability discrimination in education; it prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Requires school districts to provide a FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education). It requires school districts to provide aids and services designed to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities as adequately as the needs of students without disabilities are met. The goal of Section 504 is to level the playing field so students may show their true intelligence without the hindrance of their disability.

Process for Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions

The Student 504/ADA department is overseeing Section 504 compliance of all students with life-threatening health conditions. Under Washington State Law, any student with a life-threatening health condition qualifies for Section 504 Civil Rights Protections, but without going through the SPS Section 504 process, providing 504 Civil Rights Protections causes our department to be out of compliance with the State of Washington.

For a student whose only disability is a life-threatening health condition, an Individual Health Plan/Emergency Care Plan (ECP) will serve as the student’s Section 504 Plan.

The process to put such plans in place (RCW 28A.210.320) is based on procedures that satisfy the requirements of Section 504, including the school nurse conducting an assessment.

If the life-threatening condition affects the student’s education, then a Section 504 Plan would be written that includes accommodations for both the life-threatening health condition and academic accommodations in one plan.

Board Policies & Procedures 

Policy 2161- Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

Procedure 2161P - Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

Policy 2162 - Education Of Students With Disabilities Under Section 504

Procedure 2162P - Education of Students With Disabilities Under Section 504

 

Student 504 Process 

Differences Between Section 504 & IDEA*

*IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Section 504

  • Civil rights law
  • No separate funding
  • No “categories” of qualification
  • Requires substantial limitation of a major life activity
  • Parent participation recommended

IDEA

  • Federal grant program
  • State and federal funding
  • Disability categories
  • Requires adverse educational impact and need for specially designed instruction
  • Parent is required team member
  • IEP (Individual education plan)