Section 504 is a portion of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 outlining the civil rights of persons with disabilities. Section 504 covers preschool, elementary and secondary school policies involving placement of children with physical and mental disabilities.

This legislation states:
"No person with a disability can be excluded from or denied benefits of any program receiving federal financial assistance."

Every school district must have a Section 504 Coordinator to help the schools meet the requirements of this act, to answer questions and to ensure that there is an ongoing program to accommodate special student needs.

A person is disabled if he or she "has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities. These include caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working."

When a condition does not substantially limit a major life activity, the individual does not qualify under Section 504.

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