The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly known as “Section 504,” is a federal law passed by the United States Congress with the purpose of prohibiting discrimination against disabled persons who may participate in, or receive benefits from, programs receiving federal financial assistance. In the public schools, §504 applies to ensure that eligible disabled students are provided with educational benefits and opportunities equal to those provided to non-disabled students. Under §504, a student is considered “disabled” if he or she suffers from a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Section 504 also protects students with a record of impairment, or who are regarded as having impairment from discrimination on the basis of disability. Students can be considered disabled, and can receive services under §504, including regular or special education and related aids and services, even if they do not qualify for, or receive, special education services under the IDEA. Major life activities under Section 504 includes, but is not limited to: Caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, major bodily functions (immune system, digestive, endocrine, mental or psychological disorder etc.) Alief ISD has the responsibility, under Section 504, to identify, evaluate, and if the child is determined eligible, afford access to appropriate services. A parent is entitled at any time to request an evaluation of their child to determine if aids, accommodations or services under Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are needed Each campus has a designated Section 504 representative to facilitate this process with parents, students and the campus Section 504 Committee. If a parent or guardian disagrees with the actions or decisions made by the Section 504 committee, the Notice of Rights and Procedural Safeguards for Disabled Students and their Parents Under 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provides parents/guardians with the process for challenging those actions or decisions. If there are any questions, you may speak to the campus Section 504 representative or contact the district’s Coordinator for Special Services at 281-498-8110 Ext. 29070