Vashon Island School District 402

As part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities. Students between the ages of three and  21 years, with a mental or physical impairment  that substantially limits a major life activity, may qualify. Learning and school performance is considered a major life activity under this law. Other major life activities include, but are not limited to, seeing, hearing, breathing, walking, speaking, concentrating, and communicating. Under Section 504, the district provides for accommodations to allow students to participate in their educational setting.

Disabilities may include, but are not limited to, diabetes, allergies, physical impairments that affect mobility and communication, epilepsy, ADHD, and vision or hearing problems.

Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, extra time on assignments and tests, assistance in mobility within the school building, preferential seating, shortened assignments, highlighted textbooks, or individual behavior contracts.

To be considered for Section 504 eligibility, a student must be referred to the school-based 504 team; that is, “a group of persons knowledgeable about the student” who will  conduct a screening and, possibly, an evaluation.  Evaluation may be formal or informal, including reviews of outside information such as a doctor’s report. If the student qualifies, a plan will be developed that addresses the student’s needs. Parental permission will be obtained before a formal evaluation or implementation of a Section 504 plan. Students who are qualified for special education automatically come under the protection of Section 504 and their plan is embedded in their IEP (Individualized Education Plan).