Section 504
Please click on the Section 504 resources below:
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (34 C.F.R. Part 104) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs and activities that receive federal funding. The law states:
“No otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States… shall solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
Section 504 guarantees a student’s right to full access and participation in education and all school-related activities. Schools must provide appropriate services and aids to meet the individual needs of qualified students. Section 504 applies to elementary and secondary schools, preschools, and adult education programs that receive federal funding.
Section 504 Coordinators
Every public school district and charter school must designate a Section 504 Coordinator to oversee compliance and support students with disabilities. You can locate your district or charter school’s Section 504 Coordinator here.
Enforcement and Technical Assistance
In Arkansas, the Compliance Assistance Center (CAC) provides technical assistance to school districts and charter schools to help them meet their Section 504 responsibilities. However, enforcement of Section 504 falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). To file a complaint related to Section 504, please visit the OCR website.
Compliance Requirements
To understand obligations and due process requirements under Section 504, review Section 1 - CAC Section 504 Guidance Manual (PDF).
CAC Training for District Section 504 Coordinators
| Description | Link | |
| Part 1 | Overview | https://adesandbox.arkansas.gov/iframe?v=YmVmMjRlMDNiOWE2YzUxMGJiZDY5NzdlN2JjMzNjOWQ&share=1 |
| Part 2 | Referral/Evaluation | https://adesandbox.arkansas.gov/iframe?v=MzU1NDZiZjU1NjM1ZTY3MzEwMGUwMTJmYzhkMWUzYjA&share=1 |
| Part 3 | The Plan | https://adesandbox.arkansas.gov/iframe?v=NmY1NzJmNzEwNTcxOTAzOTM3NzNlZjUyZGRjZTJmMGY&share=1 |
| Part 4 | Manifestation Determination | https://adesandbox.arkansas.gov/iframe?v=ZWIwZDE2ODFmYTAyOTg1OWRjZTI3M2EyZmI1MWIwZTk&share=1 |
| Part 5 | Roles/Responsibilities | https://adesandbox.arkansas.gov/iframe?v=NDJlZDkwZmNjODQ2OGE1Nzc3NWJjMTkyYTgyZjYyNmE&share=1 |
For more information, please contact:
Alex Pritchett, Program AdvisorArkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Legal Services
Four Capitol Mall, Slot 26
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-4213
Email: alex.pritchett@ade.arkansas.gov
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