Section 504 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination based upon disability. Section 504 is an anti-discrimination, civil rights statute that requires the needs of students with disabilities to be met as adequately as the needs of the non-disabled are met.
Section 504 covers eligible students with disabilities for reasonable accommodations that enable them to work or learn. A team knowledgeable of the student determines if the individual meets eligibility criteria.
A person may be considered disabled under the definition of section 504 if the individual:
has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person’s major life activities.
has a record of such an impairment or
is regarded as having such an impairment
Major life activities include walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself, and performing manual tasks. Impairment need only substantially limit one major life activity to be considered a disability under Section 504.
Under Section 504, the District is required to designate at least one person to coordinate and carry out the District's efforts to comply with Section 504 and Title II. Northbridge Public Schools has designated one District-wide Section 504/ADA Coordinator. If you have questions or concerns about Section 504 or the ADA, please contact the 504/ADA Coordinator listed below.
Kate Ryan Vokes
Director of Pupil Personnel Services
Northbridge Public Schools
87 Linwood Avenue
Whitinsville, MA 01588
508-234-8156 ext. 5215
kryanvokes@nps.org