Exceptional Children's Services

NCDPI - Exceptional Children

The mission of the Office of Exceptional Children is to ensure that students with disabilities develop intellectually, physically, emotionally, and vocationally through the provision of an appropriate individualized education program in the least restrictive environment.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 is federal civil rights law under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It provides protection against discrimination for individuals with disabilities. Students in school settings fall under the civil rights protection of Section 504. The law and regulations prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability from all school programs and activities in both public and private schools receiving direct or indirect federal funding. Section 504 accommodations could be available to identified students with disabilities, who qualify for a Section 504 plan. Section 504 is designed to provide equal access and fairness in general education to students with disabilities.

Section 504 plan is a plan to provide fairness and equal access to education. The student must qualify and meet the Section 504 identification criteria. A student is entitled to a Section 504 Plan if they have been identified and the documented evidence shows that the individual has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This determination is made by a team of knowledgeable individuals, including the parents, who are familiar of the student and his/her disability.