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504/Testing Coordinator:
Rebecca Lyons
Email: rebecca.lyons@austinisd.org
Phone: (512) 414-8600 Ext. 71372
What is 504?
Section 504 is a support system ensuring equal educational opportunity for all students, which is mainly accomplished by providing appropriate classroom accommodations to eligible students.
Eligibility- Who is eligible for Section 504?
Students who meet the following definition of disability:
has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities;
has a record of such an impairment; and/or
is regarded as having such an impairment.
Impairments eligible under Section 504 may include:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Asthma, Diabetes, Hearing Impairments, Visual Impairments, Epilepsy, Learning Disabilities, Anxiety, Depression
Disorders that affect a major bodily function
Other recognized physical or mental impairments
What are major life activities?
Major life activities include tasks essential for day to day functioning such as: eating, communicating, breathing, walking, learning, reading, thinking, concentrating, major bodily functions. This list is non-exhaustive.
Substantial Limitation is Required
A major life activity is substantially limited when a person is unable to perform the activity to the same extent as their non-disabled peers.
Section 504 Process
Parents or a staff member contacts the Section 504 Coordinator and/or administrator
Parents must sign and return consent to the Section 504 Coordinator prior to evaluation
A Child Study Team Committee convenes (Parent and student will be contacted and invited to attend this meeting).
The committee determines if the student has an impairment that substantially limits that child in one more major life activities.
If the student meets eligibility the committee creates an Individual Accommodation Plan
504 Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP) is then shared with staff
Meetings are convened at least every 3 years to re-evaluate the need for accommodations.
Students’ accommodation plans are renewed annually through a meeting or communication between the 504 Coordinator, teachers, parent, and/or student.
Requesting Test Accommodations
It is the parents and student's responsibility to request College Board and ACT test accommodations by the deadlines provided by the institutions (College Board or ACT).
You must have a current 504 plan at Garza High School to request accommodations on college entrance exams.
Requests must be made at least 8 weeks prior to the scheduled test date.
College Board (PSAT, AP, and SAT)
Requesting College Board Testing Accommodations begins with filling out the College Board Consent Form for Accommodation Request . Complete the form and return it to Rolanda Williams (email: rolanda.williams@austinisd.org)
ACT
All requests for accommodations, including appeals, must be submitted by the published late registration deadline for your preferred test date through the Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) system. The ACT requires current medical documentation or a neuropsychological evaluation from the past 3 years to prove eligibility for testing accommodations.
Register to test. Create an account or sign in. Online registration will ask you for your high school code (440339) and your accessibility needs. This needs to be done at least 4 weeks prior to testing date.
You'll receive an email that must be sent to your school official along with a completed Consent to Release Information to ACT (PDF) form. Complete the form and return it to Rolanda Williams (email: rolanda.williams@austinisd.org)
After all of these steps are completed, our school official will submit your request, with documentation, to ACT.
Additional information:
- District Contact Information
Austin ISD Section 504 Department
Address: 4000 S. IH 35 Frontage Rd5th FloorAustin, TX 78704Phone: (512) 414-9669Website: www.austinisd.org/504-servicesPage updated
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