Policy 7621 – Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The Board of Education affirms its compliance with those sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 dealing with program accessibility.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in federally assisted programs or activities solely on the basis of disability. The District shall make its program and facilities accessible to all its students with disabilities.

The District shall also identify, evaluate and extend to every qualified student with a disability under Section 504 a free, appropriate public education, including modifications, accommodations, specialized instruction or related aids and services, as deemed necessary to meet their educational needs as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students are met.

The District official responsible for coordination of activities relating to compliance with Section 504 is the Superintendent of Schools. This official shall provide information, including complaint procedures, to any person who feels his/her rights under Section 504 have been violated by the District or its officials.

Prohibition Against Disability-Based Discrimination in Accelerated Programs

The practice of denying, on the basis of disability, a qualified student with a disability the opportunity to participate in an accelerated program violates both Section 504 and Title II. A school district may not impose or apply eligibility criteria that screens out or tends to screen out a student with a disability from fully and equally enjoying any service, program, or activity, unless such criteria can be shown to be necessary.

It is also unlawful to deny a student with a disability admission to an accelerated class or program solely because of his/her need for special education or related aids or services (i.e., related services, supplementary aids and services, program modification and supports for school personnel) or because the student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a plan under Section 504.

Schools may employ appropriate eligibility requirements or criteria in determining whether to admit students, including students with disabilities, into accelerated classes or programs. Additionally, nothing in Section 504 or Title II requires schools to admit into accelerated classes or programs students with disabilities who would not otherwise be qualified for these classes or programs.

Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 United States Code (USC) Section 12101 et seq.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 United States Code (USC) Section 1400 et seq.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 United States Code (USC) Section 794 et seq.
28 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 35
34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 104 and 300

NOTE:      Refer also to Policy #7550 — Complaints and Grievances by Students

Adopted: 4/25/01
Revised: 06/07/18