Section 504 prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program receiving Federal assistance.  The 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(ies) (major life activities include 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 impairment.

In order to fulfill its obligation under Section 504, Regional School District #11 and Chaplin, Hampton, and Scotland School Districts recognize a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and students.  No discrimination against any person with a disability will knowingly be permitted in any of the programs 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 services.

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

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy ACt (FERPA) also specifies rights related to educational records.  this Act gives parents/guardians 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 to make the amendment.

If there are questions, please contact  Neal O'Keefe
504 Coordinator for the school at Chaplin Elementary School.