Section 504

What is Section 504?


Section 504 is an Act which prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program receiving Federal financial assistance. The Act defines a person with a handicap as anyone who:

  1. has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (Major Life Activities include caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, sleeping, concentrating, reading, communicating, bending and major bodily functions (immune, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, neurological, brain and reproductive systems, bowel and bladder functions, and normal cell growth). Substantial Limitation is the inability to perform a major life activity that the average person in the general population can perform without the use of mitigating measures, and includes impairments that are episodic or in remission.

  2. has a record of such an impairment; or

  3. is regarded as having such an impairment.

In order to fulfill it obligation under Section 504, the King George County School recognizes a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and students. No discrimination against any person with a disability will knowingly be permitted in any of the programs and practices in the school system.

The school district has specific responsibilities under the Act, which include the responsibility to identify, evaluate, and if the child is determined to be eligible under Section 504, to afford access to appropriate educational services.

If the parent or guardian disagrees with the determination made by the professional staff of the school district, he/she has a right to a hearing with an impartial hearing officer. A request for such a hearing may be made in writing and directed to the 504 Coordinator.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also specifies rights related to educational records. This Act gives the parent or guardian the right to:

  1. Inspect and review his/her child's educational records;

  2. have copies of these records (a reasonable copying charge may apply);

  3. receive a list of all individuals having access to those records;

  4. ask for an explanation of any item in the records;

  5. ask for an amendment to any report on the grounds that it is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the child's rights; and

  6. a hearing on the issue if the school refuses to make the amendment.

 
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