Notice of Section 504

NOTICE OF SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

SECTION 504 is an ACT which prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. This 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 activity (major life activities such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working):

2. has a record of such impairment; or

3. is regarded as having such an impairment.
In order to fulfill its obligation under SECTION 504, the WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS recognizes a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and students. No discrimination against any person with a disability will be permitted in any of the program and practices in the school system.

The school district has specific responsibilities under the ACT, which include the responsibility to identify, evaluate and if the student is determined to be eligible under Section 504, to afford access to appropriate educational supports/services. All educational supports and services-including Special Education supports and related services may be afforded to successfully implement a student's 504 plan.

If a parent or guardian disagrees with the determination made by the professional staff of the school district (504 reviews team), he/she has a right to a hearing with an impartial hearing officer.

PARENT/STUDENT RIGHTS IN IDENTIFICATION, EVALUATION AND 504 PLANS

The FAMILY EDUCATION AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA) 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 it make the amendment.

Also, under SECTION 504, you or your child have the right to:

1. Take part in and receive benefits from public education programs and activities without discrimination because of his/her disability;

2. Be advised by the WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS of your rights under the federal law;

3. Receive notice with respect to identification, evaluation or plan development and placement;

4. Receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE);

5. Be educated in facilities and receive services comparable to those provided non-disabled students;

6. Receive special education and related services if (a) found to be eligible under the INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (IDEA) or SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT; (b) if such is warranted and appropriate to avoid educational discrimination on the basis of disability;

7. Evaluation, educational and placement decisions must be based upon a variety of information and sources and by persons who know the student, the evaluation data, and support/service options;

8. Transportation provided to and from district made alternative educational placement setting at no greater cost to you than would be incurred if the student were placed in a school operated by the district;

9. Be given an equal opportunity to participate in nonacademic and extracurricular activities offered;

10. Request mediation or an impartial due process hearing (as appropriate) related to decisions or actions regarding identification, evaluation, educational program (supports/services and placement);

11. Request grievance procedure regarding allegations of disability related discrimination.

12. Request payment of reasonable attorney fees if you prevail on your claim.

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The person in the WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS who is responsible for assuring that the district complies with SECTION 504 student protections is the DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES, WILLIAM H. MCDEVITT.

The voice telephone number 401.734.3050.
The FAX number is 401.734.3003.
The TDD number is 800.745.5555.

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The addresses of the Regional Office of Civil Rights is:

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION-OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS (OCR)

JOHN MCCORMACK POST OFFICE AND COURT HOUSE BUILDING, ROOM 701
POST OFFICE SQUARE
BOSTON, MA 02109-4557

TELEPHONE #: 617.223.9662

www.ed.gov/ocr/complaintprocess.html


	SECTION 504 is an ACT which prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. This 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 activity (major life activities such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working): 2. has a record of such impairment; or 3. is regarded as having such an impairment. In order to fulfill its obligation under SECTION 504, the WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS recognizes a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and students. No discrimination against any person with a disability will be permitted in any of the program and practices in the school system.
	The school district has specific responsibilities under the ACT, which include the responsibility to identify, evaluate and if the student is determined to be eligible under Section 504, to afford access to appropriate educational supports/services. All educational supports and services-including Special Education supports and related services may be afforded to successfully implement a student's 504 plan.
	If a parent or guardian disagrees with the determination made by the professional staff of the school district (504 reviews team), he/she has a right to a hearing with an impartial hearing officer.

PARENT/STUDENT RIGHTS IN IDENTIFICATION, EVALUATION AND 504 PLANS
	The FAMILY EDUCATION AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA) 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 it make the amendment.
	Also, under SECTION 504, you or your child have the right to: 1. Take part in and receive benefits from public education programs and activities without discrimination because of his/her disability; 2. Be advised by the WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS of your rights under the federal law; 3. Receive notice with respect to identification, evaluation or plan development and placement; 4. Receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE); 5. Be educated in facilities and receive services comparable to those provided non-disabled students; 6. Receive special education and related services if (a) found to be eligible under the INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (IDEA) or SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT; (b) if such is warranted and appropriate to avoid educational discrimination on the basis of disability; 7. Evaluation, educational and placement decisions must be based upon a variety of information and sources and by persons who know the student, the evaluation data, and support/service options; 8. Transportation provided to and from district made alternative educational placement setting at no greater cost to you than would be incurred if the student were placed in a school operated by the district; 9. Be given an equal opportunity to participate in nonacademic and extracurricular activities offered; 10. Request mediation or an impartial due process hearing (as appropriate) related to decisions or actions regarding identification, evaluation, educational program (supports/services and placement); 11. Request grievance procedure regarding allegations of disability related discrimination. 12. Request payment of reasonable attorney fees if you prevail on your claim.
. The person in the WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS who is responsible for assuring that the district complies with SECTION 504 student protections is the DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES, WILLIAM H. MCDEVITT. The voice telephone number 401.734.3050. The FAX number is 401.734.3003. The TDD number is 800.745.5555. .
	. The addresses of the Regional Office of Civil Rights is: U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION-OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS (OCR) JOHN MCCORMACK POST OFFICE AND COURT HOUSE BUILDING, ROOM 701 POST OFFICE SQUARE BOSTON, MA 02109-4557 TELEPHONE #: 617.223.9662 www.ed.gov/ocr/complaintprocess.html