NOTICE OF PARENT/STUDENT RIGHTS
UNDER SECTION 504
OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly referred to as Section 504, is a nondiscrimination statute enacted by the United States Congress. The purpose of the Act is to prohibit discrimination and to assure that disabled students have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to nondisabled students.

An eligible student under Section 504 is a student who (a) has, (b) has a record of having or (c) is regarded as having, a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity such as learning, self-care, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, and performing manual tasks.

Many students will be eligible for educational services under both Section 504 and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), but entitlement to services under the IDEA or other statutes is not required to receive services under Section 504.

The following is a description of the rights and options granted by federal law to students with disabilities under Section 504. The intent of the law is to keep you fully informed concerning decisions about your child and to inform you of your rights if you disagree with any of these decisions. You have the right:

1. To be informed of your rights under Section 504;

2. To have your child take part in and receive benefits from the West Hartford School District’s education programs without discrimination based on his/her disability.

3. For your child to have equal opportunities to participate in academic, nonacademic and extracurricular activities in your school without discrimination based on his/her disability;

4. To be notified with respect to the Section 504 identification, evaluation, and educational placement of your child;

5. To have an evaluation, educational recommendation, and placement decision developed by a team of persons who are knowledgeable of your child, the assessment data, and any placement options;

6. If your child is eligible for services under Section 504, for your child to receive a free appropriate public education. This includes the right to receive reasonable accommodations, modifications, and related services to allow your child an equal opportunity to participate in school and school related activities;

7. For your child to be educated with peers who do not have disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate;

8. To have your child educated in facilities and receive services comparable to those provided to non- disabled students;

9. To review all relevant records relating to decisions regarding your child’s Section 504 identification, evaluation, and educational placement;

10. To obtain copies of your child’s educational records at a reasonable cost unless the fee would effectively deny you access to the records;

11. To request changes in the educational program of your child;

12. To an impartial hearing if you disagree with the school district’s decisions regarding your child’s Section 504 identification, evaluation or educational placement. The costs for this hearing are borne by the local school district. You and the student have the right to take part in the hearing and to have an attorney represent you at your expense.

13. To file a court action if you are dissatisfied with the impartial hearing officer’s decision or to request attorney’s fees related to securing your child’s rights under Section 504.

14. To file a local grievance with the designated Section 504 Coordinator to resolve complaints of discrimination other than those involving the identification, evaluation or placement of your child.

15. To file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

The Section 504 Coordinator for this district is:

                Glenn McGrath,
                Director of Pupil Services
                West Hartford Education Center
                50 South Main Street
                West Hartford CT 06107                 Telephone: 860-561-6600

For additional assistance regarding your rights under Section 504, you may contact:

                Boston Regional Office
                Office for Civil Rights
                U.S. Department of Education
                J.W. McCormack Post Office and Courthouse
                Boston MA 02109                         Telephone: 1-617-223-9662

                U.S. Department of Education
                Office for Civil Rights
                330 C Street, S.W.
                Washington DC 20202                  Telephone: 1-800-421-3481