Student Support Services

725 Harrison Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Room 103A
(315) 435-4100

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
What is the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

• It is a non discrimination statute that ensures that qualified individuals with a disability, defined as persons with a physical or mental impairment, in the United States, not be excluded from participation, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal funding.

What is the definition of a disability under Section 504?

• A Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual, a record of such impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.

Major life activities include, but are not limited to:

• Caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping
• Walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing
• Learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working

What do I need to do to request a 504 meeting to determine §504 accommodation plan?

• Write a letter to Patricia Clark, Compliance Officer, Executive Director for Student Support Services, Syracuse City School District.  Mailing address:  1025 Erie Blvd. W, Syracuse, NY  13204
• Include the child’s name, age, and school of attendance
• Include the most recent documentation, diagnosis, or evaluations
• Explain the presenting concerns and the impact of the disability or impairment on the student’s major life activity
• Parent contact information

Parent and Student Rights and Responsibilities under Section 504.

• Parents may request a §504 Committee review.  All District decisions concerning the identification or evaluation will be in writing.
• Students with disabilities will have access to the same appropriate educational supports that are designed to meet the individual needs of such students to the same extent as the needs of students without disabilities.

Questions to determine eligibility for a Section 504 plan.

• Does the child have a documented physical or mental impairment?
• Does  the impairment effect one or more mamor life activitity?
• What evidence is there to support the impact is serious enough to significantly impede a major life activity?