WHAT YOU NEED

TO KNOW ABOUT
SECTION 504
What is section
504?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 is a civil rights law that prohibits
discrimination based on disability in
programs & activities that receive federal
funds.
Section 504 ensures children with
disabilities have equal access to education.
Section 504 is enforced by the Federal
Office of Civil Rights (OCR) not VDOE.
School districts do not receive federal funds
for Section 504 (it is locally funded);
however violations can result in the loss of
federal monies.
504 CASE MANAGERS
School counselors serve as case
managers for students eligible under
504.
Case managers facilitate the 504
process by:
Ensuring 504 teams have the
appropriate members
Notifying parents/guardians and
team members of meetings
Ensuring that team members are
aware of any specific
responsibilities related to
meetings
Facilitating the various 504
meetings
Completing documentation for
504 meetings
Distributing & ensuring receipt of
504 documents to the
appropriate staff
Answering staff questions about
504 and student-specific 504
questions
NEED SUPPORT?
Nisha Jones - 504 Coordinator
vmjones@henrico.k12.va.us
(804) 343 - 6500
Who Qualifies?
Students may be eligible under Section 504
if a team (using a variety of sources of data)
determines that:
1. A student has a physical or mental
impairment
2. A major life activity is affected by the
impairment
3. A major life activity is substantially
limited by the impairment
It is important to note:
Learning does NOT have to be impacted
for a student to be eligible under 504
and require classroom accommodations
Major life activities can include but are
not limited to: attention, body systems,
eating, standing, thinking, breathing,
concentrating, communicating, etc.
STAFF
RESPONSIBILITIES
Staff participation in the 504 process is
critical.
Staff participation in the 504 process includes
but is not limited to the following:
Implementing the 504 plan
Documenting the provision or refusal of
accommodations and/or services
Attending 504 meetings (Referral, Eligibility,
Re-evaluation, Annual Reviews,
Manifestation Determination Reviews)
Actively participating in 504 meetings
(provide information about the student,
effectiveness of accommodations/services,
utilization of services, etc.)
Collecting data or conducting observations
as needed by the team
Notifying case manager if adjustments to
the 504 plan need to be considered
Notifying administration of all incidents of
disability related bullying
Making referrals of suspected disability to
the school counselor

IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 504 IN THE

CLASSROOM/SCHOOL
Ask questions - ensure that you understand how all accommodations and/or services are to be
implemented upon receipt of the 504 plan from the case manager
Review student eligibility documents or request information from the case manager regarding how a
student is individually impacted by her/his disability (avoid making assumptions based on the
disability)
Staff members do not have the discretion to decline or refuse to implement any component of the
504 plan (only the 504 team can modify or make adjustments based on data). If a staff member has a
concern about implementing the 504 plan, they should reach out and discuss their concern with the
case manager
Offer accommodations and/or services at all times (even if a student always refuses and even if the
student does not personally request)
Maintain documentation that demonstrates your compliance with a student's plan (provision of
service, refusals)
If problems arise related to the 504 contact the case manager immediately
Communicate with parents/guardians
Contact the 504 Coordinator for implementation support