Section 504 Information

Section 504

Section 504 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination based upon disability. Section 504 is an anti-discrimination, civil rights statute that requires the needs of students with disabilities to be met as adequately as the needs of their non-disabled peers. To be eligible for protections under Section 504, the child must have a physical or mental impairment. This impairment must substantially limit at least one major life activity. If a student meets the criteria, an accommodation plan can be written that prevents discrimination in the school environment.

For further information regarding Section 504 eligibility and accommodations for students, please contact Lisa Tyler, 504 Coordinator.

Request for Impartial Hearing

UNDER SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

Tattnall County Schools’ Section 504 Coordinator will obtain an impartial review official. This official will not be an employee of Tattnall County Schools and will have knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Difference between IEP & 504

 Not all students who have disabilities require specialized instruction. For students with disabilities who do require specialized instruction, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) controls the procedural requirements, and an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed. The IDEA process is more involved than that of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and requires documentation of measurable growth. For students with disabilities who do not require specialized instruction but need the assurance that they will receive equal access to public education and services, a document is created to outline their specific accessibility requirements. Students with 504 Plans do not require specialized instruction, but, like the IEP, a 504 Plan should be updated annually to ensure that the student is receiving the most effective accommodations for his/her specific circumstances.