Section 504
SECTION 504
Supporting Students. Removing Barriers.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly known as Section 504, is a federal civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Section 504 states: “No otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States shall solely because of his/her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
Rogers Public Schools is committed to ensuring students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities and school activities.
IS MY CHILD ELIGIBLE?
A student may qualify for a Section 504 Plan if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Examples of major life activities include:
|
✔ Learning ✔ Caring for Oneself ✔ Walking ✔ Seeing ✔ Hearing ✔ Speaking |
✔ Breathing ✔ Working ✔ Eating ✔ Sleeping ✔ Standing ✔ Lifting |
✔ Bending ✔ Concentrating ✔ Thinking ✔ Communicating ✔ Performing Manual Tasks ✔ Functions of the Body |
Eligibility is determined by a school-based 504 committee that reviews multiple sources of data about the student's educational needs. A medical diagnosis alone does not automatically qualify a student for Section 504 services.
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
Referral
A parent, guardian, or school staff member may request that a student be considered for Section 504 Eligibility.
↓
Eligibility Meeting
A 504 committee gathers multiple sources of data and information to discuss at the 504 committee meeting to determine whether the student meets Section 504 Eligibility requirements.
↓
Section 504 Plan
If eligible, the 504 committee develops a Section 504 Accommodation Plan designed to support the student's success at school.
↓
Regular Review
The student’s Section 504 Plan is reviewed by the 504 committee annually and updated as needed to ensure accommodations continue to meet the student's needs. The student's Section 504 Eligibility is re-evaluated every 3 years.
FORMS & DOCUMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
-
Under Arkansas's Bell to Bell, No Cell Act, students are prohibited from having personal electronic devices during the instructional day.
Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 Accommodation Plan (504), or Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP) may be considered for an exception when a personal electronic device or device application is necessary to provide a type of service or support that cannot otherwise be provided by the district.
The need for the device or support must be documented in the student's IEP, 504, or IHCP and approved through the Rogers Public Schools review process.
Examples of approved exceptions may include:
- Diabetes or glucose monitoring devices
- Assistive communication applications for students with hearing or vision impairments
A request for an exception must be made by a parent or guardian of the student to the Special Education Designee, 504 Building Designee, School Nurse, or Building Administrator. A request made by a student will not be considered unless the student is over the age of 18. Each request is reviewed individually by the student's educational committee and building administration. Approved exceptions are reviewed at least annually.
-
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (34 C.F.R. Part 104), commonly known as Section 504, is a federal civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Rogers Public Schools has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794).
Any parent/student who believes he/she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability may file a complaint and/or grievance under this procedure. Filing a discrimination complaint is a protected activity. Retaliation against any individual because he/she has reported an alleged Section 504 violation or discriminatory act is prohibited.
If a parent, guardian, or student would like to make a formal complaint or grievance regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the person filing the complaint and/or grievance needs to follow the procedures below and complete the form below.
View the Section 504 Complaint and/or Grievance Procedures View the Section 504 Complaint and/or Grievance Form