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Section 504

Additional Information on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is an anti-discrimination statute that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 504 requires evaluation, identification, provision of appropriate services, and procedural safeguards. 

The Section 504 regulation requires school districts to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to each qualified student. Under Section 504, the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services is designed to meet the individual educational needs of individuals with disabilities as adequately as the needs of individuals without disabilities. The provision of FAPE under Section 504 provides equal access to education and is documented via a Section 504 plan. Classroom teachers and other general education staff are responsible for providing accommodations and/or services necessary for eligible students to participate in and benefit from public education, as developed by the Section 504 team.

Section 504 prohibits districts from the following (34 CFR Section 104.4):

  • Excluding an individual with a disability from participation in any district program or activity;
  • Denying an individual with a disability the benefits of any district program or activity;
  • Subjecting an individual with a disability to discrimination solely by reason of a disability.