WHAT IS SECTION 504? 

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. It applies to any school which receives federal funds. The intent of this law is to provide students with disabilities equal access to educational programs, services, and activities. Students with disabilities may not be denied participation in school programs and activities solely on the basis of disability.

It is the policy of the Omak School District to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to each student with a disability in its jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the student's disability.

WHAT IS A FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION UNDER SECTION 504?

A free appropriate public education is an education that is designed to meet a disabled student’s individual educational needs and is based upon procedures that satisfy Section 504’s identification, evaluation, placement, and due process requirements. An appropriate education can consist of education in regular classes, education in regular classes with related aids or services, special education, or a combination of such services. The definition of related aids and services under Section 504 is broad and includes any service that a student needs to participate in and benefit from a district’s education program. Related aids and services include but are not limited to the following: school health services; counseling; environmental, instructional and behavioral accommodations; and transportation.

WHAT DOES "APPROPRIATE" MEAN?

“Appropriate” means designed to meet the individual educational needs of a disabled student as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students are met. It does not mean that a district must maximize a disabled student’s potential or provide “the best” education program that it can design for a disabled student. It means that a district must provide sufficient individualized services to enable a disabled student to receive educational benefit (i.e., not maximum benefit, not minimal benefit, some benefit).

CAN I REFER MY CHILD FOR A SECTION 504 EVALUATION?

Any person can refer a student for evaluation under Section 504. If you think your child needs an evaluation for a 504 accommodation, please contact your school building office or complete the Referral and Recommendations Form in the link below and turn in to your child's school building office. The school counselor will be in touch with you to complete the 504 evaluation process.

WHAT IF I FEEL MY CHILD MIGHT QUALIFY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES INSTEAD OF 504 ACCOMMODATIONS?

Special Education provides for "specially designed instruction" for students with disabilities. Section 504 provides for select accommodations for students with disabilities. Section 504 students do not need "specially designed instruction". If you feel your child might need Special Education services, you may contact the district Special Education Director, John Holcomb, to make a referral at 509-826-8342. Go to the district Special Education web page for more information.

The resource documents below are available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. You can download Adobe Reader for free. **NOTE** When you get to the Adobe website, uncheck Yahoo Toolbar and PhotoShop under the “also download” menu.

Section 504 Resources:

Section 504 Manual

Board Policy and Procedure (Section 504)

Notice of Parent/Guardian and Student Rights

Referral and Recommendations Form

Find out more about Section 504 is available in the Equity & Civil Rights section of the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) website.

Frequently Asked Questions (OSPI)

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Omak School District complies with all applicable federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX Coordinator: Brittney Richter, brichter@omaksd.org, 619 W Bartlett Ave Omak, WA, 98841, (509) 826-8386; Section 504 Coordinator: Sarah Lewman, slewman@omaksd.org, 619 W Bartlett Ave Omak, WA, 98841, (509) 826-8342.

El Distrito Escolar de Omak no discrimina en ningún programa o actividad por motivos de sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, nacionalidad, edad, estado militar o veterano, orientación sexual, expresión de género o identidad, incapacidad o el uso de un perro entrenado o un animal guía o de servicio, y proporciona el mismo acceso a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos de jóvenes que sean designados. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para estar a cargo de preguntas y quejas de presunta discriminación: Coordinadora de Derechos Civiles y Coordinador del Título IX: Brittney Richter, (509) 826-8386, brichter@omaksd.org; y el Coordinador de la sección 504: Sarah Lewman, (509) 826-8342, slewman@omaksd.org, 619 W. Bartlett Ave, Omak, WA 98841.