Pleasant Hill R-III Schools Logo

For more information about a 504 plan or referral, contact your building coordinator.

Primary School
Krystin Ryan
Email
tel:816-540-2119 , ext. 1902

Elementary School
Terri Zimmerschied
Email
tel:816-540-2220 , ext. 2024

Intermediate School
Rachel Cole
Email
tel:816-540-3156 , ext. 3109

Middle School
Jessica Janis
Email
tel:816-540-2149 , ext. 4142

High School/District
Mandi Owen
504/Title II Coordinator
Email
tel:816-540-3111 , ext. 5508

Secretary
Melissa Rinker
Email
tel:816-540-3111 , ext. 5509

What is Section 504?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states: "No otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States... shall solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."

Section 504 requires that the district provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students with disabilities at pre-school, elementary and secondary levels.

Section 504 defines a person with a disability as anyone who:

1. has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits:
   • A major life activity such as: caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, working.
   • A major bodily function such as: immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, reproductive.
   • Determination of whether a student has a physical or mental impairment is made without regard to mitigating measures such as medication.has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits:
2. has a record or history of an impairment which substantially limits a major life activity.
3. is regarded as having an impairment which substantially limits a major life activity.

Section 504 eligibility at school district level is determined almost exclusively by the use of definition number #1.

A physical or mental impairment can be defined as "any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the body systems... or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotion or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities."

Section 504 Eligibility

It is the responsibility of school districts to evaluate students who might meet any of the criteria for a disability under Section 504. A multidisciplinary team of school personnel who know the student, the meaning of the evaluation data, and the placement options, must make determination of eligibility for Section 504. Parents and other parties with pertinent information about the student may also be included as members of the team. This group is responsible for reviewing the nature of the disability, determining how it affects the student's education, and determining what accommodations, if any, may be necessary.

When determining eligibility the team needs to consider the following:

1. Does the student have a physical or mental impairment? Is it medically documented? Is a copy of the medical diagnosis provided to the school district?
2. Does the physical or mental impairment affect any major life activity? Specify.
3. If the impairment affects a major life activity, does it substantially limit a major life activity without regard to mitigating measures?

All students with a diagnosed disability may be referred to Section 504. However, the existing disability must limit a major life activity substantially to be eligible for accommodations. That is, the limitation must be important and material - not minor or moderate in nature in the view of the Section 504 team making the determination. If not substantially limited, the student is not eligible for accommodations.

If a student is determined to be eligible under Section 504 by the multidisciplinary team, a copy of the Section 504 Non-Discrimination Plan will be provided to parents, teachers, staff, the Building Section 504 Coordinator, and the District Section 504 Coordinator.

Section 504 Non-Discrimination Plans will be reviewed annually.

If the parents or guardians disagree with the identification, evaluation, or placement of the student with a disability, a grievance procedure is available which includes an impartial hearing provided by the school district.

504: Evaluation and Placement Process (PDF)