Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is enforced by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) under the guidelines of the Department of Education. This legislation protects the civil and constitutional rights of people with disabilities. Section 504 prohibits organizations that receive federal funds from discriminating against otherwise qualified individuals on the sole basis of a handicap.

 

Section 504 identified people who are identified as those who have a physical or mental impairment that inhibits one or more life activities. Major life activities include such things as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself, and performing manual tasks.

 

Students who qualify for assistance under Section 504 will receive specific accommodations to be administered within the general education classroom. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are not created for students who receive Section 504 services.

 

Visit the U.S. Department of Education website to learn more about the education of children with disabilities.