Section 504
The legislative pieces were specifically designed for Special Education. Section 504 was the first public law aimed to protect children and adults with disablilities so they will not be discriminated against becuse of their disability. Section 504 states that no individual can but excluded because of his/her disability, from participating in or benefiting from any program or activities that receive federal funding, this also includes public schools.
Individuals that are eligible for these services are:
1). They have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities.
2). They have a record of such an impairment; or
3). are regarded as having such an impariment by others.
The schools must make sure that they have "reasonable accomodations" for the student with disabilities so they can particapte in the educational program provided to other students that do not disablilities.
The importance of complying to this law is to help children with disabilities not to be discriminated against in their school setting. They should not be discriminated against in federal funded programs and activites either.
