Section 504

504 Parents Rights and Grievance Procedures 

Section 504 is federal, civil rights law that is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

This law (and other applicable federal law) defines a person with a disability as

1) having a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activity,

2) having a record of such an impairment, or

3) is regarded as having such an impairment.

Section 504 covers eligible students, employees and other individual with disabilities for reasonable accommodations for major life activities that are substantially limited by the disability.

There is a Section 504 Coordinator for the district and each school site has a Section 504 Chairperson. The person at the school who is responsible for Section 504 compliance is the building principal. Referrals to determine eligibility under Section 504 are made to the Student Assistance Team/Section 504 committee at each school site.

An Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP) is developed if the student’s assessment conducted by the Section 504 committee determines eligibility and the need for accommodations.

If the student’s disability requires specially designed instruction and related services then eligibility for special education and related services is determined through Bulletin 1508, the Pupil Appraisal Handbook.

http://bese.louisiana.gov/documents-resources/policies-bulletins.

A free appropriate public education (FAPE) is provided to the student as documented on the student’s Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP) or Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Parents/legal guardians are very important components of the process.

Rights and grievance procedures for special education services may be found on the Louisiana State Department website at

http://www.louisianabelieves.com/resources/library/gifted-and-talented.

It is the policy of the Orleans Parish School Board’s Network schools and Charter schools not to discriminate to anyone on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to designated youth groups. Any person who believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination may file a grievance.

All employees with such a complaint should contact the Director of Human Resources (504-304-4171).

Any student who believes he or she may have been subjected to discrimination may file a complaint with the building principal. The District Section 504 Coordinator is Shayla A. Guidry, Ed.D., 3520 General DeGaulle Drive, New Orleans, LA 70114, (504) 304-4988.

Section 504 Handbook and Forms

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