ISD 192 Rights to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 is an act that prohibits discrimination against persons with a disabling condition in any program receiving federal financial assistance. The act defines a person with a disabling condition as anyone who:
- Has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activity (major life activities include caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working);
- has a record of such an impairment; or
- is regarded as having such impairment.
In order to fulfill its obligation under Section 504, District 192 recognizes a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and students. No discrimination against any person with a disabling condition will knowingly be permitted in any of the programs and practices in the school system.
The district has specific responsibilities under the act, which include the responsibility to identify, review, and if the child is determined to be eligible under Section 504, to afford access to appropriate educational accommodation.
If the parent/guardian or adult student disagrees with the determination made by the district staff, he or she may submit a Grievance, in writing, to the appropriate principal or program administrator within a reasonable period of time after the alleged violation occurred. The grievant must fully state the facts of the alleged violation and the remedy that is sought.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also specifies rights related to
educational records. The act gives the parent/guardian or adult student the right to:
- Inspect and review the student’s educational records;
- Make copies of these records;
- Receive a list of all individuals having access to these records;
- Ask for an explanation of any item in the records;
- Ask for an amendment to any report on the group(s) that it is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the student’s rights; and
- A hearing on the issue if the school refuses to make the amendment.
If there are questions, please feel free to contact the 504 Coordinators for District 192 (Director of Elementary or Director of Secondary Learning) at 651-463-5013.