Section 504

Overview

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Specifically, it states, "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States... 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."

In Danville Public Schools, Section 504 ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to education. Unlike the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which addresses the provision of special education services, Section 504 focuses on eliminating discrimination based on disability to allow students to participate fully in school programs and activities.

Section 504 protects individuals with disabilities, broadly defined as those who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and caring for oneself.

Section 504 Compliance

Danville Public Schools is dedicated to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have the same rights and privileges as their non-disabled peers. This commitment includes providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in compliance with Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

DPS has a designated district Section 504 Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer is responsible for overseeing the district's compliance with Section 504 law and policy and coordinating responses to concerns or complaints related to discrimination. Contact information for the district Section 504 Compliance Officer is as follows:

Address:

Assistant Director for Student Support Services

341 Main Street Suite 200

Danville, VA 24541

Phone:

(434) 799-6400, x 318

Email: 

dps-complianceofficer@mail.dps.k12.va.us