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Alexandria Community School Corporation

Every Student. Every Day. No Exceptions. No Excuses.

Section 504 Of The Rehabilitation Act

Section 504 Of The Rehabilitation Act

A civil rights law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in programs, that receive Federal financial assistance.

A few important things:

  1. Section 504 is not a special education law.
  2. Section 504 is a civil rights law.
  3. Section 504 is an unfunded mandate.

Alexandria Community School Corporation has appointed Ashleigh Allison as the district Section 504 Coordinator and Compliance Officer. Requests for evaluation for a Section 504 plan can be directed to her using the contact information below.

Office of Exceptional Learners
800 N Central Ave., Alexandria, IN 46001
Phone: (765) 724-5060 | Fax: (765) 724-5061
Email: aallison@alex.k12.in.us

Betsy Zarse

504 Teacher of Record, AMJHS

Jacob Bradford

504 Teacher of Record, AMES

  • A disability is defined as an individual that has (three part test):

    • A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual
    • Has a record of such an impairment
    • Or is regarded as having such an impairment

    A major life activity includes:

    • Caring for oneself
    • Performing manual tasks
    • Seeing
    • Hearing
    • Eating
    • Sleeping
    • Lifting
    • Bending
    • Speaking
    • Breathing
    • Learning
    • Reading
    • Concentrating
    • Thinking
    • Communicating
    • Working

    The operation of major bodily functions including, but not limited to:

    • Function of the immune system
    • Normal cell growth
    • Digestion
    • Bowel function
    • Bladder function
    • Neurological
    • Brain
    • Respiratory
    • Circulatory
    • Endocrine
    • Reproductive functions

  • An evaluation for a Section 504 Plan is needed if a child has a disability that need classroom or school accommodations that can be met in the general education classroom. The 504 committee, which consists of the parent, the Section 504 teacher of record, and one general education teacher will decide what information is needed for the evaluation. This may include, but is not limited too, school data, report cards, teacher input, administrative input, guidance input, medical documentation, testing by a school diagnostician or psychologist, observation by a staff member, checklists given to teachers and parents, computer testing, outside evaluations paid for by the parents, and other anecdotal records. Depending on the need and the severity of the disability, a full special education evaluation might be considered. 

    To request an evaluation for a Section 504 Plan or Special Education, please email Ashleigh Allison at aallison@alex.k12.in.us.

  • A student eligible for Section 504 plan is entitled to reasonable accommodations in the general education classroom. These accommodations provide access to the general education curriculum, but do not modify it. The student is still responsible for all assigned work and homework and must meet the general education achievement standards.

    Other services that can be provided to Section 504 eligible students are medical services by the school nurse (for diabetes, asthma, or other medical diagnoses with a care plan from the doctor for needs while attending school), transportation (if riding the general ed bus is not possible due to a wheelchair or other physical disability), consideration of other related services such as Social Work, Occupational, or Physical Therapy do to a physical or mental impairment.

    If the student needs modified standards, modified work, or direct services from a special education staff member, then a special education evaluation is more appropriate. See Child Find/Identification under the Special Education link to the left of this webpage.