SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT
The 504 plan refers to Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which specifies
that no one with a disability can be excluded from participating in federally
funded programs or activities, including elementary, secondary, or
postsecondary schooling. The focus is to
ensure that the educational system provides the full range of reasonable
accommodations necessary for students to participate in and benefit from public
education programs and activities. Section 504 prohibits discrimination against
people with disabilities as defined under the Section, including both students
and staff. This applies to any entity who receives federal financial
assistance. The regulations require identification, evaluations, provision of
reasonable accommodations, and procedural safeguards to students enrolled in
Bellmawr Public Schools.
How is a disability defined under Section
504?
The definition of disability is a person who
has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major
life activities. Examples include caring for oneself, performing manual tasks,
walking, seeing, hearing, speaking breathing, learning, and working. It also
defines a person of having a disability as anyone who has a record of such
impairment or is regarded as having such impairment.
How is the determination for eligibility
made?
An evaluation is conducted to gather
information on how the disability is substantially impacting on a major life
function. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but it must come from
various sources including, but not limited to the school nurse, classroom
teacher(s), guidance counselors, and outside persons with relevant information.
Evaluation procedures may include review of
records, assessment information, interviews with persons knowledgeable about
the child's functioning, observations, individualized assessments
The 504 Team, a group of people knowledgeable
about the student, collaboratively develop the 504 Plan, if appropriate. The
purpose of the group is to examine the information regarding the person, and
determine if reasonable accommodations are necessary, and subsequently what
those accommodations will be if the person is considered eligible.
The term substantial is not defined within
the law. Therefore, the 504 Team considers the impact of the impairment on the
major life function specific to the individual. The 504 Team is directed to
determine if the student is afforded and equal opportunity to participate
and/or benefit from education when compared to non-disabled, age-appropriate
peers. A frame of reference for their responsibility is to use the average
student in the general population for the purposes of comparison. Periodic
reevaluation is required by Section 504. Reevaluation of the 504 Plan is
recommended once per school year or upon significant change in school placement
or program.
SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT
PROCEDURES
- Request in writing forwarded to
the Guidance Office.
- Guidance Office Administrative
Assistant contacts parent to arrange a meeting date with Building
Principal, Guidance Counselor, Teacher, and Nurse (If needed).
- Guidance Office Administrative
Assistant sends home 504 Meeting Notice, Parent Input for 504 form, and
Parent Rights packet.
- Guidance Office Administrative
Assistant notifies parties of meeting via email and sends the 504 Referral
Form and Teacher Input 504 Form to be completed by the classroom teacher.
(Both Forms must be completed prior to meeting)
- Notice of 504 Accommodation
Plan meeting results is completed by Guidance Counselor at the
meeting. If ineligible, parent signature is required, and paperwork
filed under Inactive.
- If Eligible, Section 504
Accommodation Plan is completed at meeting using Tracker document.
- Copies of 504 plans are given
to building principal and teacher. Original kept in the Guidance
Office.
- Case Manager gives information
for Guidance Office Administrative Assistant to create folder and put
information into Genesis.