September, 1994

Dear Local 795 Member:

During the 1993-94 school year, a frequent topic of discussion at union Executive Board meetings was students who fall under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 is a federal statute that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in programs and activities that receive federal funds. This, of course, includes public education.

In the course of our discussions at Executive Board and based on inquiries from individual members, we thought it would be helpful to devise and provide some guidelines to assist you when you become involved in the process of preparing and implementing Adjusted Regular Education Plans (504 plans) for students with special needs who qualify for additional services pursuant to the law.

The union formed a committee consisting of Dave Smith, Guidance Counselor, High School, Dawn Heintzelman, Head Nurse, Mary Ann Brennan, Guidance Counselor, Boulevard Elementary, Daniel MacDonald, First Vice President and Tom Schmida, President to review the law, current literature and district practices as they relate to students under Adjusted Regular Education Plans (504 plans). The committee then worked to produce these guidelines which are presented below in a "Question/Answer" (Q/A) format.

Our purpose is to ensure that all of our members operate in full compliance with Section 504 and that we are all aware of our rights and know how to assert them to best serve our students throughout the 504 process.

Fraternally,

Tom Schmida, President
Local 795