Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

AMERICAN 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

In order 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 the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator. If the parent or guardian disagrees with the determination made by the professional staff of the school district, he/she has a right to a hearing with an impartial hearing officer.

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. inspect and review his/her child’s educational records;
  2. make copies of these records;
  3. receive a list of all individuals having access to those records;
  4. ask for an explanation of any item in the records;
  5. ask for an amendment to any report on the grounds that it is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the child’s rights; and
  6. a hearing on the issue if the school refuses to make the amendment.

If there are any questions, please feel free to contact The Office of the Superintendent at 2300 Chaney Road, Dubuque, Iowa 52001.

ALSO SEE >

Section 504 Frequently Asked Questions

Section 504 Notice of Student and Parent / Guardian Rights

Section 504 Referral Form (PDF)

Section 504 Building Contacts (School Counselor)

Section 504 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.

Also see the U.S. Department of Education Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools (PDF)