Last week, Reporter Michelle Diament in Disability Scoop reported that “the U.S. Department of Education is considering amendments to regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.”
The Rehabilitation Act prohibits certain types of disability discrimination, and Section 504 is one way that public school students can qualify for evaluation by school officials, with the goal being a specific plan to address their disability.
504 plans accommodate students whose disabilities make it hard for them to access the material and activities needed to learn. Once they can access those things, students with 504 plans typically do not have challenges with learning. 504 plans are similar to Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, although IEP plans tend to accommodate students whose disabilities make learning itself hard.
“1.38 million public school students with disabilities are served solely under Section 504,” Diament wrote, citing federal civil rights data.
According to the story, it’s unclear how those regulations might change, but the Department of Education will solicit public feedback and hold listening sessions. “In particular, the agency indicated that it wants input from people with disabilities,” Diament wrote.
We appreciate Michelle Diament and Disability Scoop’s coverage of this vital issue, and we welcome the focus by the U.S. Department of Education on getting feedback from people with disabilities. We’ll keep a close eye and let you know as federal officials reach out to the public as they begin to change the regulations.
