Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program receiving federal financial assistance. The Act defines a person with a disability as anyone who:

* Has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (includes activities such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working)

* Has a record of such impairment

* Is regarded as having such an impairment

In order to fulfill its obligation under Section 504, the El Dorado Springs R-I1 School District recognizes 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 child is determined to be eligible under Section 504, to afford access to appropriate educational services.

If the parents or guardian disagrees with the determination made by the professional staff of the school district, helshe has a right to a hearing with an impartial hearing officer.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act also specify rights related to educational records. The Act gives the parents or guardian the right to:

* Inspect and review the child’s educational records

* Make copies of these records

* Receive a list of all individuals having access to those records

* Ask for an explanation of any item in the records

* Ask for an amendment to any report on the grounds that it is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the child’s rights

* A hearing on the issue if the school refuses to make the amendment

If there are questions, please feel free to contact the Superintendent of Schools, the Section 504 Compliance Officer, at 876-3112.