504
Relationship of Section 504 and IDEA
Please note that Section 504, a civil rights law, is different from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), a funding statute. Both the IDEA and Section 504 guarantee students with disabilities access to a free and appropriate public education. However, there are major differences between them, specifically in the criteria used to determine eligibility and the definition of a free and appropriate public education. For a student to receive special education services under the IDEA, the student’s educational performance must be adversely affected by the disability and the child must be in need of special education services (i.e. specially designed instruction). Section 504 is not limited to specific disability categories and does not require evidence that the disability adversely affects the student’s educational performance. Students who are found not to be eligible for services under the IDEA may be eligible for accommodations under Section 504.
While students who are eligible under IDEA are also often considered to be students with disabilities protected from discrimination under Section 504, all accommodations for the student’s disability are made through the IDEA process. Students who qualify for special education programs and services with a disability listed in the IDEA have their educational plan written in an IEP. That is, a student should not have an Individualized Education Program or “IEP” under the IDEA and also a 504 Plan. Moreover, the Section 504 plan usually outlines the accommodations and services that will allow a child to access the curriculum. A Section 504 plan is less specific than an IEP.
504 Resources
Each CISD campus has a school-level Section 504 Coordinator who is responsible for coordinating identification, evaluation, and placement decisions for students who are eligible under Section 504. Families may contact the campus Section 504 Coordinator/Counselor for more information on Section 504 Services.
Medical Disabilities and Medical Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the leading national public health institute of the United States. It provides informative data about a variety of medical conditions.
American Academy of Pediatrics: An organization of 64,000 pediatricians committed to the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, support, and research and is committed to raising awareness and building a community of hope for those with mental illness.
National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is a national family-run organization linking more than 120 chapters and state organizations focused on the issues of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs and their families. It was conceived in Arlington, Virginia in February of 1989 by a group of 18 people determined to make a difference in the way the system works.
National Institute of Mental Health: The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. Detailed information concerning ADHD, as well as many other mental illnesses/disorders, is available on their website.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder often diagnosed in childhood that lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have challenges paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or being overly active. To learn more, review the resources below:
State and Federal Resources
Office of Civil Rights: Legal information and rights. Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities.
Parent & Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary & Secondary Schools: Published by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), December 2016.
Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities, OCR: The information in this pamphlet, provided by the Office for Civil Rights in the U. S. Department of Education, explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools. This pamphlet also explains the obligations of a postsecondary school to provide academic adjustments, including auxiliary aids and services, to ensure the school does not discriminate on the basis of disability.
Scholarship and Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities Information
Affordable Colleges.com is a list of scholarships available for students with disabilities, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, plus other disabilities. Includes financial aid resources compiled from many different websites.