504 Services
Services & Accommodations
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Chapter 15 of the Pennsylvania School Code protect the rights of individuals with disabilities by ensuring that they are provided services and accommodations necessary for their participation in school activities including extracurricular activities.
Eligible students have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity and more specifically:
- The student is of an age at which public education is offered in that school.
- The student has a physical or mental disability that substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the student’s school program.
- The student is not eligible as defined by Chapter 14 (relating to special education services and programs).
- The student is eligible for special education and related services, and is raising a claim of discrimination.
34 CFR § 104.3 (j) defines a handicapped person with rights under the Rehabilitation Act as any person who:
- Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities,
- Has a record of such an impairment, or
- Is regarded as having such an impairment.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, examples of disabilities under Section 504 include:
- Student breaks their arm in 5 places and cannot write; the district provides someone to take notes or write the homework
- Student is deaf and plays sports. The district provides an interpreter for the classroom and any school sports activities they are involved in
- Student has cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, migraines, allergies or asthma; the student is allowed to obtain treatment or medication, as needed
- Student uses a wheelchair; student is permitted to leave classes early to avoid hall traffic
- Student is under a doctor's care for depression or anxiety, frequent behavioral problems, ADHD; the student is given additional time for completing assignments and allowed to sit in the front of the classroom
Students can be referred for Section 504 services by parent or teacher request. If you want your child to be evaluated for eligibility, please make a request for an evaluation for Section 504 services to your child’s teacher, guidance counselor, or building administrator. The request can be made verbally or in writing to a school professional. The district will provide an evaluation report and if eligible, your child will receive a written 504 plan or designed to meet his/her needs.
Special Education & 504 Services
- Both support students with disabilities. 504 supports a broader range of disabilities or conditions than special education.
- 504 services have less specific identification criteria while students have to meet specific criteria to be eligible for special education services.
- 504 plans are supported and implemented in general education. Special education services are managed by special education case managers but offered in general and/or special education.
- Both services must be provided at district expense and at no cost to parents or students.
- 504 plans are implemented via a written service agreement and special education services are described in individualized education programs (IEPs). The format of 504 plans are developed at district discretion with typical components and IEPs are formatted at the state level with regulated components.