• Section 504
     
    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal nondiscrimination statute which offers protection to persons with disabilities.  Unlike the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 is not an affirmative action statute.  Rather, it aims only to "level the playing field" by providing equal opportunity and access.  Section 504 does not call for the lowering of academic standards or the modification of the student's program or curriculum. 
     
    A person qualifies for a 504 plan if he or she has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities and the impairment must negatively impact the child's education.  Major life activities include caring for one's self, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, eating, learning, and working.   When a condition does not substantially limit a major life activity, then the individual does not qualify under Section 504.
     
    Some possible categories where Section 504 might apply could be: asthma, HIV, Tourette's syndrome, ADD/ADHD, alcoholism, heart malfunctions, communicable diseases, blood disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, drug addictions, respiratory conditions, epilepsy, cancer, birth defects, etc.
     
    Students who do qualify for a 504 plan may receive services and accommodations to assist them in their educational advancement.  Examples of accommodations include:  school building accommodations, classroom accommodations, alternative testing procedures, support services, environmental accommodations and organizational strategies.
     
    Jon Hamed is the 504 Chairperson and treats the process very similar to the special education process.  The differences between 504 and special education are as follows:
     
    Section 504 Special Education
    * Civil Rights Act * Education Act
    * School Funding * Federal-State-Local Funding
    * Accommodations & Services * Individualized Education Program
    * All disabilities if eligible  * 13 Federal disabilities
     
     

    "Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path

    and leave a trail".  Ralph Waldo Emerson

     

    NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

    The Olean City School District does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, veteran status, domestic violence victim status or political identity, gender expression, and religious practices or any other basis prohibited by New York State and/or federal non-discrimination laws in employment or its programs and activities. The District provides equal access to community and youth organizations.  Inquiries regarding the District’s non-discrimination policies should be directed to:

    Civil Rights Compliance Officer, Human Resources, Olean City School District, 410 W. Sullivan St., Olean, NY  14760, 716-375-8097. 
    Email: CivilRightsCompliance followed by @oleanschools.org

     
Last Modified on July 20, 2023