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Section 504 Of The Rehabilitation Act Of 1973

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What is Section 504?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights statute which prohibits an otherwise qualified individual with a disability from being discriminated against, excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance. Section 504 is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), and the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals
(BSEA). Students who are eligible for Section 504 Plans are provided with appropriate educational accommodations and/or services designed to meet their individual needs to the same extent as the needs of students without disabilities.
2- How is a student qualified under Section 504?
Eligibility for accommodation plans and/or services under Section 504 is based upon a review of documentation from multiple sources to determine whether a student has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment or is regarded as having such an impairment. Each eligibility determination is made based upon an individual inquiry.
3- What is a physical or mental impairment?
There is no complete list of impairments that are covered by Section 504. A sampling of physical or mental impairments that may be considered eligible under Section 504 include:  Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders, (e.g., anxiety, depression, personality disorder, bipolar, eating

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