Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The statute ensures that a qualified student with a disability receives reasonable accommodations necessary for that student to access education or school-related programs and activities.

Any child suspected of needing a Section 504 Plan should be referred to the Section 504 designee within the school where the child attends. The designee will then initiate the process for determining whether the student meets the qualifications under this federal law.

The Director of the Office of Programs for Exceptional Children and the Section 504 Coordinator for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools is Robert L. Mitchell, Office of Programs for Exceptional Children, (757) 263.2400, Laskin Road Annex, 1413 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.

Parent/student’s rights under SECTION 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The following is a description of the rights granted by federal law to students identified as having a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The intent of the law is to keep parents fully informed concerning decisions about their child and to inform them of their rights if they disagree with any of these decisions.

Parents have the right to:

• File a grievance with the school district over an alleged violation of
  Section 504 regulations.
  
• Have an evaluation that draws on information from a variety of sources.
  
• Be informed of any proposed actions related to qualification under Section 504 and provision of a plan for services.
  
• Examine all relevant records.
  
• Receive all information in the parent’s/guardian’s native language and primary mode of communication.
  
• Periodic redetermination of qualification and an assessment before any significant change in program/service modifications.
  
• Request an impartial hearing if there is a disagreement with the school division’s proposed action.
  
• Be represented by counsel (at their own expense) in the impartial hearing process.
  
• Appeal the decision of the impartial hearing officer’s decision to a court of competent jurisdiction.
  
• Contact the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Director of the Office of Programs for Exceptional Children, Laskin Road Annex, 1413 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451, telephone (757) 263.2400 or fax (757) 263.2067 to file a complaint concerning discrimination based upon disability.

For additional information, please contact the SECTION 504 coordinator at your child’s school.

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