504 Information

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a broad civil rights law regulated by the Office of Civil Rights. It provides that “No other-wise qualified individual with a disability in the United States ...shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance ...29U.S.C.Section 794(a) (1998) Section 504 defines a person with a disability as anyone who:

        1. Has a mental or physical impairment, which substantially limits one or more major life activity (including activities such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working),

        2. Has a record of such impairment; or

        3. Is regarded as having such impairment.

In order to fulfill its obligation under Section 504, the Springfield School District 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 program and practices in the school system.

The school district has specific responsibilities under the Act, that 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 a parent or guardian disagrees with the determination made by the professional staff of the school district, he or she has the right to a hearing with an impartial hearing officer.

The person in this district who is responsible for assuring that the Springfield School District complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the American Disabilities Act is listed above.