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00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:20 Now here's your host, Adam Bush. Hey everybody, happy Monday and welcome back to Your Morning Boost.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:24 Today we're going to start a week-long series as we are diving deep into Section
00:00:24 --> 00:00:28 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
00:00:29 --> 00:00:35 Now, I realize it sounds a little bit dry, but trust me, this law is absolutely
00:00:35 --> 00:00:40 crucial for creating an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:45 And frankly, it's the one law that has a small open door in court that leads
00:00:45 --> 00:00:46 directly to our pocketbooks.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:51 So this one's pretty important, and we need to continue to learn a little bit more on 504.
00:00:51 --> 00:00:55 Now, Section 504, it's a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against
00:00:55 --> 00:01:00 individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 funding, which, of course, includes all of our public schools.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:08 Think of this as a powerful tool to ensure that students with disabilities have
00:01:08 --> 00:01:12 the support they need to access their education and reach their full potential.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:17 Now, you might be thinking, isn't that what the Americans with Disabilities Act does?
00:01:18 --> 00:01:22 Well, you are right, because moments in time, like the passing of the ADA in
00:01:22 --> 00:01:26 1990 and consistent guidance from the Office of Civil Rights,
00:01:26 --> 00:01:31 this has molded what we have come to know as 504 plans for students.
00:01:31 --> 00:01:37 Section 504 itself is really only about five sentences. It's not much more than a paragraph.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:42 It's simply a foundation that all of our understanding is built off of,
00:01:42 --> 00:01:46 which why this topic is very difficult for school administrators to understand.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:50 This is literally the prime example of, well, it depends on who you talk to.
00:01:51 --> 00:01:56 Because ADA focuses more on accessibility in public places like restaurants
00:01:56 --> 00:02:01 and stores, while what we have come to learn as Section 504 plans specifically
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 address the needs of students with disabilities in schools.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:06 But this guidance really comes
00:02:06 --> 00:02:11 from within the regulations of the ADA and ADA Amendments Act of 2008.
00:02:11 --> 00:02:15 That guidance is really what gives us the foundation for Section 504.
00:02:15 --> 00:02:20 Now, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA,
00:02:20 --> 00:02:23 that is built upon the fundamental principle of providing specially designed
00:02:23 --> 00:02:27 instruction to meet the unique learning needs of students with disabilities.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:32 SDI is the cornerstone of special education. It encompasses individualized approaches,
00:02:32 --> 00:02:37 strategies, and modifications tailored to each student's specific strengths and weaknesses.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:43 Now, while IDA emphasizes SDI, it's important to understand that certain accommodations
00:02:43 --> 00:02:48 and typically most accommodations within a student's IEP, these align with the
00:02:48 --> 00:02:50 principles of Section 504 and ADA.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:55 Section 504 ensures equal access and opportunities for students with disabilities
00:02:55 --> 00:02:59 in all areas of school life, including general education settings.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:03 And we do this by removing barriers and providing necessary accommodations.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:08 Many accommodations outlined in an IEP, such as extended time on assessments
00:03:08 --> 00:03:13 or preferential seating, these may be considered both necessary for a student's
00:03:13 --> 00:03:17 success under IDA, but they're actually ADA accommodations at their core.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:22 Now, although there is certainly nothing illegal or improper about having both
00:03:22 --> 00:03:26 an IEP and a 504, to be honest, it just isn't necessary.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:30 The accommodations within the IEP, they can encompass anything needed to provide
00:03:30 --> 00:03:35 access within ADA. So we just typically roll those things into the same document.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:38 Appreciate your time today. If you want some more resources on this,
00:03:39 --> 00:03:43 the Office of Civil Rights, their webpages have all sorts of things on 504.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:46 And really just taking the time to kind of bone up a little bit on the differences
00:03:46 --> 00:03:51 between the two laws, that's a great start within the process of Section 504.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 Understanding the differences is going to help you out quite a bit.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:57 But thank you for joining us today. We will be back again tomorrow with more
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 tips and insights to help you lead your school effectively.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 Thanks again for listening. We will talk with you again tomorrow.
00:04:04 --> 00:04:08 You have been listening to your Morning Boost by AWB Education in partnership
00:04:08 --> 00:04:09 with Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:14 You can find out more about our services by clicking on the links in the description.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:19 Remember, you are doing this vital job that only a few can do.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:24 So until next time, thank you for your service to your community.