Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 is a Federal Civil Rights Rehabilitation Act which
prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any
program receiving federal financial assistance. The act defines a
person with a disability as anyone who: (1) Has a mental or physical
impairment which substantially limits one or more life activities
(major life activities include activities such as caring for one's
self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking,
breathing, learning, and working). (2) Has a record of such impairment;
or, (3) Is regarded as having such an impairment.
In
order to fulfill obligations under Section 504, the Nebraska City
Schools has the responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and
practices regarding its personnel and students. No discrimination
against any person with a disability should knowingly be permitted in
any of the programs and practices of the school system. The school
district has responsibilities under Section 504 (Part D), which include
the obligation to identify, evaluate, and if a student is determined to
be eligible under Section 504, to afford access to appropriate
educational services. If the parent/guardian disagrees with the
determination made by the professional staff of the school district,
he/she has the right to a hearing with an impartial hearing officer.
The
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also specifies rights
to educational records. This act gives the parent/guardian the right
to: (1) inspect and review his/her child's educational records; (2)
make copies of these records; (3) receive a list of all individuals
having access to those records; (4) ask for an explanation of any item
in the records; (5) ask for an amendment to any part of the record on
the grounds that it is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the child's
rights; and (6) a hearing on the issue if the school refuses to make
the amendment. If there are questions, please feel free to contact
Donald E. Loseke, Section 504 Part D, Coordinator at 873-6033.
Nebraska City Public Schools
and
Educational Service Unit #4, Auburn, Nebraska
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