Under Section 504, what is a major life activity?
A major life activity is an activity that is of central importance to the daily life activity of the average person in the general population. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working. It also includes the operation of a major bodily function.
What does “substantially limits a major life activity” mean?
An impairment that prevents a person from performing a life activity that the average student of approximately the same age can perform OR if the life activity is more difficult to perform as compared to the average student of approximately the same age.
What should I do if I suspect my child has a disability?
Anyone may refer a child for an evaluation. However, the school district also must suspect that the child is in need of services to conduct a Section 504 evaluation (OCR Memorandum, April 29, 1993).
If you have concerns regarding your child, you should first communicate with your child’s teacher(s). You may also contact your child’s counselor to request an evaluation. Your request will be considered and you will either be provided with a consent to evaluate or the campus counselor will notify you of the reasons an evaluation is not offered.
Are all schools required to adhere to Section 504?
Yes. All schools that receive any federal financial assistance must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Does a physician’s diagnosis of ADD/ADHD automatically result in a student being eligible for Section 504?
No. A physician’s diagnosis should be considered as one piece of information when evaluating the student. However, a physician’s diagnosis alone does not automatically result in eligibility for Section 504.
Does a medical diagnosis of an illness automatically mean a student can receive services under Section 504?
No. A medical diagnosis of an illness does not automatically mean a student can receive services under Section 504. The illness must cause a substantial limitation on the student's ability to learn or another major life activity. For example, a student who has a physical or mental impairment would not be considered a student in need of services under Section 504 if the impairment does not in any way limit the student's ability to learn or other major life activity, or only results in some minor limitation in that regard.
Are there any impairments which automatically mean that a student has a disability under Section 504?
No. An impairment in and of itself is not a disability. The impairment must substantially limit one or more major life activities in order to be considered a disability under Section 504. Each decision on eligibility is made on an individual basis.
Once a student is identified as eligible for services under Section 504, is that student always entitled to such services?
Yes, as long as the student remains eligible. The protections of Section 504 extend only to individuals who meet the regulatory definition of a person with a disability. In some cases, students are no longer eligible for services because an injury or illness has been cured. In other cases, a student will learn to compensate for difficulties due to an impairment and no longer meet eligibility requirements.
