504 INFORMATION
What is Section 504?
Section 504 is an anti-discrimination statute that prohibits discrimination based on a disability. If requires the needs of a student be met as adequately as those of the non-disabled peer(s). Any individual with a disability is covered. A disability is defined as a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities. The individual may also have a record of such impairment or be regarded as having such an impairment and they may also qualify.
An impairment is an illness or disability that "substantially" reduces or lessens the student's ability to access learning in the educational setting because of the behavior or health related condition. The condition may not be readily apparent to others such as diabetes or epilepsy but if it hinders the child's ability to receive an appropriate education, they may be considered to have an impairment under Section 504.
Major life activities include, but are not limited to self care, walking, seeing, speaking, sitting, thinking, learning, breathing, concentrating, interacting with others, and feeding. This list may also include those students with ADHD, dyslexia, cancer, diabetes, severe allergies, chronic asthma, digestive disorders, Tourette's syndrome, depression, conduct disorder, and temporary disabilities such as a broken arm or leg.
A parent or a school may make a referral to have the student evaluated for eligibility under Section 504. A team must convene within 30 days to review the evidence and determine if the child qualifies. The decision to make a student eligible for a Section 504 Plan must be made by the group of people who are knowledgeable about the student, consider all the evaluation data, and provide information during the meeting that would be helpful in making the determination.
If the student is found eligible, then the team must determine accommodations based on the students individual needs.
The Adelanto Elementary School District recognizes its obligation to provide overall program accessibility throughout the District for individuals with disabilities.
504 Plan District Contact: Carol Coburn, Director of Academic Services 760-246-8691 ext. 10268
Section 504 Plan Parent Brochure English Spanish (coming soon)
504 Request for Evaluation English Spanish
Section 504 Grievance/Complaint Procedure regarding identification, evaluation or educational placement (provision of FAPE)
The Adelanto Elementary School District encourages informal resolution with the school site Principal overseeing Section 504. However, if it is not possible to obtain a satisfactory outcome at the school, and you believe that the school or any of the school’s staff did not correctly follow the regulations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 when making the determination about identification, evaluation, and educational placement of your son or daughter, (for services), you may fill out and submit a Adelanto Elementary School District Section 504 complaint form to the Director of Academic Services, Carol Coburn.
- A Section 504 complaint must be filed within six months from the date of the incident, or six months from the date the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged discrimination. The time for filing may be extended for up to 90 calendar days by the Section 504 Coordinator for good cause and upon written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the request for the extension.
- Within 10 business days of the receipt of the grievance, the Director of Academic Services will begin an investigation of the grievance.
- Within one business day of initiating the investigation, the Director of Academic Services will provide the complainant and/or the complainant’s representative with the opportunity to present the information contained in the grievance and provide any evidence, or information leading to evidence, to support the allegations in the complaint. Evidence or information may be presented to the Director of Academic Services at any time during the investigation.
- Unless extended by written agreement with the complainant, the Director of Academic Services will send a written report of the investigation and decision within 60 calendar days of the district’s receipt of the grievance.
- Any complainant who is dissatisfied with the Director of Academic Services findings may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Complainants are not required to utilize the district’s complaint procedure prior to seeking remedies before civil courts or other public agencies.
504 Complaint Procedures English Spanish
504 Coordinator
Carol Coburn, Director of Academic Services
11824 Air Expressway, Adelanto, CA 92301
(760) 248-8254
carol_coburn@adelsd.org
Office of Civil Rights
(800)421-3481
Email: ocr@ed.gov