504


What is Section 504?
Section 504 is the part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which applies to individuals with disabilities. Section 504 is a civil rights act which protects the civil and constitutional rights of individuals with disabilities.

Section 504 states that no individual with a disability can be excluded from or denied benefits of any program receiving federal financial assistance.

To be protected under Section 504, a student must be determined to:
Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; have a record of such impairment; or be regarded as having an impairment.

A physical or mental impairment is defined as any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems:

Neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

Major life activities include functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.

This includes eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, bending, reading, concentrating, thinking and communicating, and functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine and reproductive functions.

How are children with disabilities identified?
In MSSD14 any concerns regarding a student begins with the Child Find process. If a parent, teacher or other individual knowledgeable about the child suspects an impairment or disability, a Child Find Evaluation for Section 504 may be requested. Each school has a problem-solving process it enlists in responding to parent concerns. In evaluating a student for eligibility, all determinations are made on the basis of individual inquiry.

Students with impairments or disabilities are eligible for protection against discrimination. A Section 504 Plan is developed for those students who are protected and necessitate an accommodation plan.

What are accommodations?
Accommodations are adjustments made by the classroom teacher(s) and other school staff to help students access the general education curriculum.

The School 504 Coordinator will:
• Receive concern from teachers, parents, nurses, counselors, students, and others.

• Convene a group of persons knowledgeable about the student to collect and review information about the student from a variety of sources.

• Work with the team to review the data about the student to determine if the student has s physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, and thus, is eligible to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE)

• As a member of the team decide if, because of the disability, the educational needs of the student are not met as adequately as the needs of the non-disabled students in order for the student to be entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE)

• After the team determines that a student is eligible for a Section 504 Plan, work with the team to develop a Section 504 Plan for the student

• As part of the team, determine the student's needs as they relate to the identified disability.

• Complete the Section 504 Plan by outlining the education or services, reasonable accommodations or modifications that the student requires.

• Plan a review meeting date.

• Obtain signatures of team participants.

• Send copies of 504 Plan to designated individuals.

• Monitor the implementation of the 504 Plan.

• Reconvene the team on the date agreed upon to review and reassess any change in status.

MSSD14 504 Parental Rights
Counselors

UPES
TBA
E-mail:  
Phone: 719 685 2209

MSES
Meredith Hinds
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 719 685 2160

MSMS
Eric Holt
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 719 685 2135

MSHS
Christopher Lewis (A-K)
E-mail:  [email protected]
Phone: 719.685.2050

Ms. Alisha Strupp (L-Z)
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 719.685.2059


If there are any questions concerning this information, please feel free to contact
Kolleen Johnson, Section 504 Coordinator for Manitou Springs School District, at 685-2040 or email at [email protected].

If you have further concerns or grievances please contact
Eric McMartin the 504 complian cecoordinator for Manitou Springs School District, at 719-685-2013 or email at [email protected]