Section 504 requires that: “No other qualified individual with a handicap in the United States…shall, solely by reason of his or her handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance” (29 USC 794, 34 CFR 104.1).

Section 504 is a civil rights law that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities.  It is a protection from discrimination, which provides for an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment based on the student’s unique needs.  It prohibits denial of participation in public education, or the benefits offered by school programs because of a student’s disability.