Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Unlike the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that governs special education, Section 504 is not an education, service, or funding statute. The purpose of Section 504 is to ensure that individuals with disabilities are given the same opportunity to participate in programs and activities as their nondisabled peers.

It is the responsibility of Hallsville Independent School District to identify and serve students who, within the intent of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, are considered disabled and who, because of disability, need special services/accommodations within the general education program.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE UNDER SECTION 504?

Students may qualify for protection under Section 504 if they have a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more of life’s major activities. A label, disability, or diagnosis, alone, does not make a student eligible under Section 504. The disability must substantially limit the student’s performance as compared to the performance of the average student in the general population.

WHAT IS MEANT BY "SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS?"

Under judicial interpretation, a major life activity is substantially limited when a person is "unable to perform a major life activity that the average person in the general population can perform."

In referencing the "general population", the intent of the law was to compare each person’s performance against the general population in the community and the nation – not the population at a particular school.

WHAT IS A MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY?

Major life activities refer to functions such as, but not limited to, caring for oneself, eating, sleeping, reading, walking, seeing, hearing, bending, standing, speaking, breathing, thinking, concentrating, communicating, and performing manual tasks. Major life activities also include major bodily functions of the immune system, bladder, bowel, brain, respiratory, circulatory, and endocrine functions, as well as, normal cell development.

§504 CHILD FIND NOTICE

Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the District has a duty to identify, refer, evaluate and if eligible, provide a free, appropriate public education to disabled students.  For additional information about the rights of parents of eligible children, or for answers to any questions you might have about identification, evaluation and placement into Section 504 programs, please contact the Director of Special Programs, Amy Whittle at 903-668-5990, or by mail at PO Box 810, Hallsville, TX  75650.

Aviso Sobre La Identificación de Estudiantes Incapacitados bajo la Sección 504
Bajo la Sección 504 del Decreto de Rehabilitación de 1973, el Distrito Escolar esta obligado a identificar, referir, evaluar, y proporcionar servicios educativos apropriados y gratuitos a estudiantes incapacitados que califican para recibir servicios bajo esta ley. Si usted desea mas información sobre los derechos de padres de niños incapacitados, o si tiene preguntas sobre la identificación, evaluación, y colocación de niños en el programa de Sección 504, favor de ponerse in contacto con el Coordinador de 504 del Distrito, Amy Whittle al numero 903-668-5990 o por correo a la siguiente dirección:  PO Box 810, Hallsville, TX   75650.

• HALLSVILLE 504 PROGRAM GUIDE - ENGLISH & SPANISH
• T.E.A. Fact Sheet for Families - English
• T.E.A. Hoja de datos para las familias
•  Notice of Rights for Disabled Students under Section 504