Section 504

Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

PUBLIC NOTICE

Section 504 and ADA is an Act which prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability by an institution receiving federal financial assistance. The Act defines a person with a disability as anyone who:

  1. has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (major life activities include activities such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, bending, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working);
  2. has a record of such impairment; or
  3. is regarded as having such an impairment

To fulfill obligations under Section 504, the Dubuque Community School District has the responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and students. No discrimination against any person with a disability should knowingly be permitted in any of the programs and practices of the school system.

The school district has responsibilities under Section 504, which include the obligation to identify, evaluate, and if the student is determined to be eligible under Section 504, to afford access to appropriate educational services.

A parent may request a form to initiate a referral for any student by contacting the principal of any school or designated Section 504 building liaison. If the parent or guardian disagrees with the determination made by the building Section 504 team, he/she has a right to file a grievance through the building administrator and/or Section 504 district coordinator. If unresolved, he/she is entitled to a hearing with an impartial hearing officer through the Area Education Agency (AEA) for mediation.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also specifies rights related to educational records. This Act gives the parent or guardian the right to:

  1. Notice that explains evaluation and placement decisions;
  2. Review educational records;
  3. Appeal evaluation and placement decision through grievance process, including a hearing if unresolved.

ALSO SEE >

Section 504 Liaisons

Parent / Guardian Rights

Parent / Guardian
Resource Guide and
Fact Sheet (PDF)

Grievance Procedure

Have a concern?
Report it at:
www.dbqschools.org/
say-something

The person in the Dubuque Community School District who coordinates compliance with Section 504 matters is:

Hannah Porcic
Lead Nurse
2300 Chaney Road
Dubuque, IA 52001-3095

P: 563/552-3084
F: 563/552-3102
hporcic@dbqschools.org

For more information regarding Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, please visit the Office for Civil Rights website at www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/disability/section-504-rehabilitation-act-of-1973.