Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
What is 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a Federal Civil Rights Law that is designed to eliminate disability discrimination in programs and activities that receive Federal funds. Natchez-Adams School District provides a broad spectrum of protections against discrimination on the basis of disability. All students who meet the definition of an individual with a disability under Section 504 are entitled to receive regular or special education and related aids and services that are designed to meet their individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of students without disabilities are met. We work diligently to provide students with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in athletics and extracurricular activities, and to be free from bullying and harassment based on disability.
Eligibility
Under Section 504, an individual with a disability is defined as a person who: (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity; (2) has a record of such an impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. 29 U.S.C. § 705(9)(B), (20)(B)
Major life activities include functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working. This list is not exhaustive. Other functions can be major life activities for the purposes of Section 504. In the Amendments Act, Congress provided additional examples of general activities that are major life activities, including eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, bending, reading, concentrating, thinking, and communicating.
Additional Information
Equity and Advocacy Parent and Student Toolkit
https://www.uen.org/equitytoolkit/
Parent and Educator Resource Guide to section 504 in Public Schools
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/504-resource-guide-201612.pdf
Parents please contact your school administrator or the District’s 504 Specialist, if you believe your child meets eligibility guidelines under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
