IDEA+&+504+Sec+2



__**SECTION 504**__

>>> accommodations. >>> and community members of the name and contact information >>> of the 504 Coordinator.
 * **What is Section 504?**
 * Section 504 is civil rights legislation that is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that states, "no qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under" any program or activity that either receives Federal financial assistance.
 * **How does Section 504 relate to schools?**
 * Since recipients of this Federal funding include public school districts, Section 504 is an important law that provides protections for school-age children with disabilities. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability from all school programs and activities in both public and private schools receiving direct or indirect federal funding. Section 504 is an option available to students with disabilities, but who are not already eligible and receiving special education services under the eligibility requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It is designed to provide equal access and fairness in general education to students with disabilities, thereby leveling the playing field for them through what is known as a Section 504 Accommodation Plan. It is not a plan designed to enhance a student’s performance. It is only a plan to provide fairness and equal access to education.
 * **Who is eligible for a Section 504 Accommodation Plan?**
 * A student is eligible and entitled to a Section 504 Accommodation Plan if an evaluation shows that the individual has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities and it impacts the student’s education. As a general rule, if a child is eligible for services under IDEA, that child qualifies for protection under Section 504; however, not all students covered by Section 504 are eligible for IDEA related services.
 * **Who is involved with Section 504?**
 * Student and Parent
 * Be involved in suggesting accommodations.
 * Participate in Section 504 meetings.
 * Benefit from the program.
 * School Principals, Certified, and Classified Staff
 * Conduct nondiscriminatory practices in classrooms.
 * Refer/identify/evaluate students, as appropriate.
 * Encourage parent involvement.
 * Develop and implement program modifications and
 * Designate a Section 504 Representative for the building.
 * 504 Coordinator
 * Coordinate Section 504 processes and training for the district.
 * Provide staff and parent training.
 * Manage Section 504 grievance procedures.
 * Help conduct the self-evaluation.
 * Superintendent
 * Designate a district Section 504 Coordinator.
 * Provide written notice to parents, students, school personnel,
 * Provide continuing notice to students/employees.
 * School Board
 * Establish policies of nondiscrimination.
 * Develop grievance procedures.
 * Develop hearing procedures.


 * Differences Between IDEA & 504: http://www.ldonline.org/article/6086**

Examples of potential 504 handicapping conditions not typically covered under IDEA are:
 * communicable diseases
 * HIV, Tuberculosis
 * medical conditions
 * asthma, allergies, diabetes, heart disease
 * temporary medical conditions due to illness or accident
 * Attention Deficit Disorder
 * behavioral difficulties
 * drug/alcohol addiction
 * other conditions




 * References for Section 504:**
 * www.ada.gov/cguide.htm#anchor65610
 * TEACHING Exceptional Children Mar/Apr 2009 Vol 41, No. 4. pp. 68-71.
 * NASSP Bulletin, Vol. 92, No. 1, March 2008 pp. 19-43 2008
 * New Mexico Public Education Department: Section 504 Guide. June 2007.
 * http://www.ldinfo.com/idea504.htm
 * http://www.answers4families.org/book/export/html/122

__**IDEA**__


 * IDEA is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a federal law that governs how states and public agencies provide early and special education and other services to children with disabilities from birth to age 21.**
 * Under IDEA, special education services must be designed to meet the individual learning needs of children with disabilities.
 * IDEA helps students with disabilities attend public school and where they prepare for further education, employment, and independent living later in life.


 * Before IDEA**: Children with mental disabilities were mostly living in Institutions, were the living conditions were poor they received little food, clothing, and had poor shelter, and their was no attempt to educate them or rehabilitate these children. In 1967 there was around 200,000 people with mental disabilities living in such institutions.


 * IDEA Time line**:


 * 1975: The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (public law 94-142) was established as a federal law, where every child with a disability was entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), designed to meet his or her individual needs, which was under the public law 94-142. This caused the change from children with mental disabilities being housed in institutions, to having the right to a public education that fits their needs. This covered children at the school levels.
 * 1986: The PL 94-142 changed from covering children with disabilities ages 3 to 21, to covering from birth to age 21.
 * 1990: Public law 94-142 was amended, and reauthorized and renamed as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). So now the public schools had to adhere to IDEA to receive federal funding for it, preparing students with mental disabilities for further education and success in life meaning employment and the tools for independence.
 * 1997: IDEA was amended, and the definition of disabled children changed to include children who were categorized as "developmentally delayed" from 3 to 9 years old. It provided a process to solve disputes between schools and parents, and provided further grants for technology and professional development.
 * 2004: Amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. This combined the goals of IDEA and No Child Left Behind, changing the way that children with disabilities were evaluated, and provided 3 year IEP's with parent consent, so that goals could be made, evaluated, and grown upon.

http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/legal-rights/the-history-and-reauthorization-of-idea.gs?content=803 http://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/leg/idea/history.html http://idea.ed.gov/ http://www.google.com/#q=individuals+with+disabilities+education+act+timeline&hl=en&biw=1275&bih=556&tbs=tl:1&tbo=u&ei=QyOiTJqrJ4T7lwf8uu2vBA&sa=X&oi=timeline_result&ct=title&resnum=11&ved=0CEIQ5wIwCg&fp=503c3e1af1077eec
 * Sources:**