Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. It applies to any entity that receives federal funding including public schools. The Americans with Disabilities Act, enacted in 1991, provides the same obligations on public elementary and secondary schools as Section 504, but without the limitation of applying only to recipients of federal funds.

Requirements of section 504 include:

Providing a qualified student the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit or service provided by an entity covered by the Act.

Affording a qualified person an opportunity to participate that is equal to that afforded to others.

Providing a qualified person with an aid, benefit or service that is as effective as that provided to others.

The entity will not provide different or separate benefits or services to handicapped persons or to any class of handicapped persons unless such action is necessary to provide benefits or services that are as effective as those provide to others.

Providing qualified handicapped persons the opportunity to enjoy any right, privilege, or opportunity provided to others.

Contacts for questions on Section 504 can be found on the Student Support Services page.

Last updated: Aug 28 at 2:52 pm