Civil Rights and Section Civil Rights and Section 504504

Webster Public SchoolsWebster Public Schools

Staff TrainingStaff Training

What is the law?What is the law?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that: 1973 states that: "No otherwise "No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the qualified handicapped individual in the United States...shall, solely by reason United States...shall, solely by reason of...handicap, be excluded from of...handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."receiving federal financial assistance."

Who is protected under the law?Who is protected under the law?

A "handicapped person" means "any A "handicapped person" means "any person who has a physical or mental person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person's major one or more of such person's major life activities; life activities;

has a record of such an impairment, has a record of such an impairment, or or

is regarded as having such an is regarded as having such an impairment." impairment."

Who is protectedWho is protected

Section 504 protects the civil rights Section 504 protects the civil rights of individuals who are qualified to of individuals who are qualified to participate and who have disabilities participate and who have disabilities such as, but not limited to, the such as, but not limited to, the following:following:

blindness or visual impairmentsblindness or visual impairments cerebral palsycerebral palsy

Who is protected….Who is protected….

chronic illnesses, such as AIDS, chronic illnesses, such as AIDS, arthritis, cancer, cardiac disease, arthritis, cancer, cardiac disease, diabetes, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, muscular dystrophy, psychiatric disorders; psychiatric disorders;

deafness or hearing impairments, deafness or hearing impairments, drug or alcohol addiction (Section drug or alcohol addiction (Section

504 covers former users and those in 504 covers former users and those in recovery programs and not currently recovery programs and not currently using drugs or alcohol.)using drugs or alcohol.)

Who is protected…Who is protected…

epilepsy or seizure disordersepilepsy or seizure disorders mental retardation mental retardation orthopedic handicaps orthopedic handicaps specific learning disabilityspecific learning disability speech disordersspeech disorders spinal cord or traumatic brain injury, spinal cord or traumatic brain injury,

etc. etc.

Impact of the law on educationImpact of the law on education

Schools or any entity receiving federal Schools or any entity receiving federal financial assistance must not financial assistance must not discriminate in the admission or discriminate in the admission or treatment of students/employees, treatment of students/employees, considered to have disabling conditions. considered to have disabling conditions.

Any entity receiving federal financial Any entity receiving federal financial assistance must not discriminate in any assistance must not discriminate in any situation regarding employment situation regarding employment practicespractices

Impact of the law on educationImpact of the law on education

Students or with documented Students or with documented disabilities, or their disabilities, or their parents/guardians, may request parents/guardians, may request modifications, accommodations, or modifications, accommodations, or auxiliary aids which will enable the auxiliary aids which will enable the student to participate in and benefit student to participate in and benefit from all educational programs and from all educational programs and activities. activities.

Impact of the law on educationImpact of the law on education

The school must evaluate and The school must evaluate and determine eligibility for 504 services determine eligibility for 504 services for students referred. for students referred.

It is the schools responsibility for It is the schools responsibility for making the determination. making the determination. Parents/students may provide Parents/students may provide documentation, however are not documentation, however are not required to. required to.

Impact of the law on educationImpact of the law on education

If eligible, schools must make such If eligible, schools must make such changes to ensure that the academic changes to ensure that the academic program is accessible to the greatest program is accessible to the greatest extent possible by all student with extent possible by all student with disabilities. disabilities.

Who coordinates services?Who coordinates services?

In Webster, Section 504 is In Webster, Section 504 is coordinated through each building coordinated through each building via the building principal and is via the building principal and is overseen by the Office for Student overseen by the Office for Student Services.Services.

The Superintendent’s office oversees The Superintendent’s office oversees 504 related issues for personnel. 504 related issues for personnel.

Impact on School PersonnelImpact on School Personnel

Section 504 is a civil lawSection 504 is a civil law Individuals discriminating against the Individuals discriminating against the

civil rights of a student can be held civil rights of a student can be held personally responsiblepersonally responsible

Complaints regarding a potential Complaints regarding a potential violoation of civil rights are heard violoation of civil rights are heard through the Office of Civil Rights through the Office of Civil Rights (OCR)(OCR)

The EndThe End

For more information regarding For more information regarding Section 504 please contact the Section 504 please contact the Student Services Office at 508-943-Student Services Office at 508-943-01040104