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Every Ability Belongs

Section 504

What is Section 504?

The focus is to insure that the educational system provides the full range of reasonable accommodations necessary for students to participate in and benefit from public education programs and activities.

Section 504 prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities as defined under the Section, including both students and staff. This applies to any entity who receives federal financial assistance.

The regulations require identification, evaluations, provision of reasonable accommodations, and procedural safeguards to students enrolled in Cherry Hill Public Schools.

How is a disability defined under Section 504?

The definition of disability is a person who has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Examples include caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking breathing, learning, and working.

It also defines a person of having a disability as anyone who has a record of such impairment or is regarded as having such impairment.

How is the determination for eligibility made?

An evaluation is conducted to gather information on how the disability is substantially impacting on a major life function. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but it must come from various sources including, but not limited to the school nurse, classroom teacher(s), guidance counselors, and outside persons with relevant information.

Evaluation procedures may include review of records, assessment information, interviews with persons knowledgeable about the child's functioning, observations, individualized assessments

The 504 Team, a group of people knowledgeable about the student, collaboratively develop the 504 Plan, if appropriate. The purpose of the group is to examine the information regarding the person, and determine if reasonable accommodations are necessary, and subsequently what those accommodations will be if the person is considered eligible.

The term substantial is not defined within the law. Therefore, the 504 Team considers the impact of the impairment on the major life function specific to the individual. The 504 Team is directed to determine if the student is afforded and equal opportunity to participate and/or benefit from education when compared to non-disabled, age appropriate peers. A frame of reference for this responsibility is to use the average student in the general population for the purposes of comparison.

Periodic reevaluation is required by Section 504. Reevaluation of the 504 Plan is recommended once per school year or upon significant change in school placement or program.

Who do I contact if I suspect my child is eligible for accommodations under Section 504?
Each building in the Cherry Hill Public Schools has a designated Section 504 Coordinator. They can be contacted at the student's school.

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