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MSAD #20

Home of the Tigers

504 Information

Section 504

 

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination based on disability. In accordance with Section 504, our school district is committed to providing students with disabilities equal access to educational programs, services, activities, and opportunities.

Students who meet the requirements for protection under Section 504 may receive a Section 504 Plan that identifies the accommodations, supports, and services necessary for the student to access and participate meaningfully in the educational environment. Section 504 Plans are developed based on the individual needs of each student and are reviewed annually to ensure that appropriate supports remain in place.

Our goal is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn, participate, and succeed in a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment.

 

 

 

What is Section 504?

Jessica Haley, LCSW

Director of Special Services

Who Is Eligible for a Section 504 Plan?

A student may be eligible for protection and accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if the student has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as learning, reading, concentrating, communicating, walking, seeing, hearing, or caring for oneself.

Eligibility is determined through an individualized evaluation and consideration of information from a variety of sources. A diagnosis or medical condition does not automatically qualify a student for a Section 504 Plan. The 504 team should consider how the impairment affects the student's ability to access and participate in the educational environment and whether accommodations or services are necessary to provide equal access to education.

Students who are eligible may receive a Section 504 Plan outlining the accommodations and supports needed to ensure meaningful access to school programs, activities, and services.

If you have concerns about your child's access to education or believe your child may need accommodations, please contact your child's school or the Section 504 Coordinator.

Child Find

Procedural Safeguards

Notice About 504 Records

RSU 86/MSAD 20 must notify students/parents when the school has determined that special education records are no longer needed to provide a student with a free, appropriate, public education as required according to Chapter 101, the Maine Special Education Regulations.

Records will be destroyed at the end of the school year when a student would turn 26. If you wish to obtain these records you should contact the School Department at 472-3277. These records may be useful in the future if an application is made for federal benefits.

RSU 86/MSAD 20 will permanently keep digitalized records of the student's most recent IEP, the Written Notice or Minutes of that meeting, a Summary of Performance, and the most recent evaluations.

The School Department shall maintain, permanently, a record of the student's name, address, phone number, grades, attendance record, classes attended, grade level completed and year completed.