The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly referred to as Section 504, is a statute enacted by the United States Congress which prohibits discrimination against persons with a handicap in any program receiving federal financial assistance.

The purpose of the Act is to ensure that students with handicaps have equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student's abilities. The Act defines a person with a handicap as anyone who:

• Has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (Major life activities include: caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working):

• Has a record of such impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment.

For more information, please contact your child's school counselor.