Alki Building 504 Coordinator

Supporting Access • Promoting Equity • Empowering Students

What Is Section 504?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that protects students with disabilities from discrimination and ensures equal access to educational programs and activities. SPS provides accommodations, aids, and services designed to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities as adequately as the needs of students without disabilities are met.

A student may qualify for Section 504 if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as: 

• Learning 
• Reading 
• Concentrating 
• Thinking 
• Communicating 
• Walking 
• Seeing 
• Hearing 
• Breathing 
• Caring for oneself 

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How Do I Request a Section 504 Evaluation?

Parents/guardians, school staff, or other individuals with knowledge of the student may request that a student be considered for a Section 504 evaluation. 

Step 1: Make a Request

Contact the School Building 504 Coordinator to share your concerns and request consideration for a Section 504 evaluation. 

It is helpful to provide: 

• Information about your concerns 
• Medical documentation (if available) 
• Educational impact information 
• Any outside evaluations or reports 

Step 2: School Review (25 school days of observation during the school day)

The School Based 504 Team will review available information and determine whether an evaluation is needed. 

The team may gather information from: 

• Parents/guardians 
• Teachers 
• School staff 
• Health care providers 
• Existing educational records 

This process helps determine whether additional evaluation is appropriate.  

Step 3: Evaluation and Eligibility Determination (30 school days of evaluation)

If an evaluation is conducted, the School Based 504 Team will review all information and determine: 

1. Whether the student has a disability under Section 504, and 
2. Whether accommodations or services are needed for the student to access their education. 

Step 4: Development of a 504 Plan (30 school days to develop and implement)

If the student is found eligible, the School Based 504 Team will develop a Section 504 Plan outlining accommodations and supports needed to ensure equal access to education. 

Examples may include: 

• Extended time on assignments or tests 
• Preferential seating 
• Health-related accommodations 
• Organizational supports 
• Environmental accommodations 

The accommodations provided are individualized to meet the student’s needs.

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Parent Rights and Procedural Safeguards

Parents/guardians have important rights under Section 504, including: 

• The right to participate in meetings 
• The right to receive notice of decisions 
• The right to review educational records 
• The right to request an impartial hearing 
• The right to file complaints regarding Section 504 matters 

For detailed information, please review the SPS Parent Rights and Procedural Safeguards documents.

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Life-Threatening Health Conditions

Under Washington State Law, any student with a Life-Threatening Health Conditions qualifies for Section 504 Civil Rights Protections, but without going through the SPS Section 504 process, providing 504 Civil Rights Protections causes our department to be out of compliance with the State of Washington. Below is an excerpt from the Superintendent’s Policies and Procedures for Students in the General Education Setting Under Section 504 (2162SP)

For a student whose only disability is a life-threatening health condition, an Individual Health Plan/Emergency Care Plan (ECP) will serve as the student’s Section 504 Plan. 

The process to put such plans in place (RCW 28A.210.320) is based on procedures that satisfy the requirements of Section 504, including the school nurse conducting an assessment and referring student to School Based 504 Team to provide procedural safeguards. 

If the life-threatening condition affects the student’s education, then a Section 504 Plan would be written that includes accommodations for both the life-threatening health condition and academic accommodations in one plan. 

You will receive a request Consent to evaluate / Acceptance of 504 civil rights protections (504-4) form via Docusign. If you sign consent, then your student will be provided with Section 504 Rights (504-1) and Procedural Safeguards under Section 504.  

The request for consent will automatically expire in 30 days if you choose not to receive the Section 504 Civil Rights Protections.

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Additional Resources

• Student 504 department
• SPS Board Policy 2162: Education of Students with Disabilities Under Section 504
• Student 504 Forms and Parent Resources

Need Assistance?

Please contact your school’s School Building 504 Coordinator with questions about referrals, evaluations, accommodations, annual reviews, or re-evaluations.

For district-level support, visit the SPS Student 504 department webpage.