504 Resources

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. It provides: "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States...shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance..." Section 504 regulations require school districts to provide a "free appropriate public education," which consists of the provision of "regular or special education and related services designed to meet the student's individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of nondisabled students are met." The school district's Section 504 Handbook offers guidance on the school district's responsibilities under this statute.