Policy 7621

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
7621 SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 


The Board affirms its compliance with those sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 dealing with program accessibility. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in federally assisted programs or activities solely on the basis of disability. The District will make its program and facilities accessible to all its students with disabilities.

The District will also identify, evaluate, and extend to every qualified student with a disability under Section 504 a free, appropriate public education, including modifications, accommodations, specialized instruction, or related aids and services, as deemed necessary to meet their educational needs as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students are met.

The District official responsible for coordination of activities relating to compliance with Section 504 is the Superintendent. The Superintendent will provide information, including complaint procedures, to any person who feels his or her rights under Section 504 have been violated by the District or its officials. 

Prohibition Against Disability-Based Discrimination in Accelerated Programs

The practice of denying, on the basis of disability, a qualified student with a disability the opportunity to participate in an accelerated program violates both Section 504 and Title II, which extends the prohibition on discrimination established in Section 504. The District may not impose or apply eligibility criteria that screens out or tends to screen out a student with a disability from fully and equally enjoying any service, program, or activity, unless the criteria can be shown to be necessary.

It is also unlawful to deny a student with a disability admission to an accelerated class or program solely because of his or her need for special education or related aids or services (i.e., related services, supplementary aids and services, program modification and supports for school personnel) or because the student has an Individualized Education Program or Section 504 plan.

The District's schools may employ appropriate eligibility requirements or criteria in determining whether to admit students, including students with disabilities, into accelerated classes or programs. However, Section 504 and/or Title II does not require schools to admit into accelerated classes or programs students with disabilities who would not otherwise be qualified for these classes or programs.


Policy References:
Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 USC § 12101 et seq.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 USC § 1400 et seq.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC § 794 et seq.
28 CFR Part 35
34 CFR Parts 104 and 300

NOTE:  Refer also to 
Policy 3420 - Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment in the District 



Adopted: 6/22/99
Revised: 9/6/22

Policy 7621