Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, most commonly referred to as Section 504, provides a broad spectrum of protections against discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, all qualified public school students who meet the definition of an individual with a disability under Section 504 are entitled to receive regular or special education and related aids and services that are designed to meet their individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of students without disabilities are met. Section 504 also requires, among other things, that a student with a disability receive an equal opportunity to participate in athletics and extracurricular activities and to be free from bullying and harassment based on disability.

A 504 Plan provides accommodations that allow the student to have access to the school and its programs. It covers general access issues such as wheelchair use, specific diagnosed health concerns, and physical barriers. The plan also describes what the district will do to support the student’s disability and ensure that the disability will not preclude the student’s access to school programs.

Click here to read Section 504 Parents' Rights in Brief

Community Consolidated School District 89 has a Student Services Team (SST) at each school. The Student Services Team is a group of professionals from each building who meet on a routine basis to discuss academic and social-emotional concerns raised about an individual child. The SST works to determine appropriate interventions, modifications, and/or adaptations to be implemented in the classroom by the appropriate personnel.

Students with disabilities who do not qualify for an individualized education program (IEP) under IDEA may qualify for services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if the student (i) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment.

Parents seeking a 504 should reach out to their child’s principal who will assist in beginning the process.  

For further information, please contact the CCSD 89 Director of Student Services Katie Kreller, 22W600 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn, (630) 469-8900, kkreller@ccsd89.org.