quot;Section 504" refers to the section of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which guarantees certain rights to individuals with disabilities, including ADHD. This federal law states that no person "... shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance" (Sec. 504.(a)). No.

FAPE, the acronym for Free Appropriate Public Education, is the provision of regular or special education or aids and services designed to meet the educational needs of individuals with disabilities to the same extent that needs of non-disabled individuals are met. No. Children with mental disabilities or impairments may be eligible for services under both the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504.

Some students with disabilities, as defined by Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, qualify for reasonable accommodations and modifications to his/her academic and non-academic programs. These may be necessary to ensure that the student has equal access to his/her education. See your school counselor for further assistant.

Section 504 and IDEA have many differences, perhaps the most significant lies in that Section 504 is designed to level the playing field, primarily by eliminating barriers that exclude individuals with disabilities where as IDEA is an education benefit law, often offering additional services and protections for those with disabilities that are not offered to those without disabilities. Another important distinction is eligibility requirements and educational benefit.

A 504 plan is a legally binding education plan created under the authority of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is designed to create modifications and accommodations for students with special needs who are attending their school's general education program. For this reason, the 504 plan should not be confused with an IEP. However, in some instances, students transitioning from special education to general education classroom placement may qualify for a 504 Plan.

Officer (typically, the principal of the student's school or an assigned district-level administrator)

Each school has the paperwork necessary to apply for 504 status. Ask to see the 504 coordinator at your child’s school.

Maybe. A child who was denied coverage under IDEA may qualify for coverage under Section 504. The key is whether or not the student's AD/HD substantially impacts a major life activity.

Both Section 504 and the ADA prohibit covered entities from discriminating against persons with disabilities in the provision of benefits or services or the conduct of programs or activities on the basis of their disability. Section 504 applies to programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title II of the ADA covers all of the services, programs, and activities conducted by public entities (state and local governments, departments, agencies, etc.), including licensing.

Section 504 and the ADA protect qualified individuals with disabilities. An individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment. Major life activities means functions such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.

Maybe. A child who was denied coverage under IDEA may qualify for coverage under Section 504. The key is whether or not the student’s AD/HD substantially impacts a major life activity.