Department of Education Protecting Students with Disabilities Frequently Asked Questions
Provides answers to frequently asked questions about Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as well as questions about the education of children with disabilities.
Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability against students with disabilities. OCR receives numerous complaints and inquiries in the area of elementary and secondary education involving Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Most of these concern identification of students who are protected by Section 504 and the means to obtain an appropriate education for such students.
Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (ED).