Section 504:

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a civil rights statute, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 504 covers qualified students with disabilities who attend schools receiving Federal financial assistance.

To be protected under Section 504, a student must be determined to:

(1) Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or

(2) Have a record of such an impairment; or

(3) Be regarded as having such impairment.

Section 504 requires that school districts provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to qualified students in their jurisdictions who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Department of Education Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Schools