Section 504
Non-discrimination Policy - Shared Services is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all qualified persons, except in the case of a bona fide occupational qualification or as otherwise permitted or required by law, does not discriminate in any educational or vocational program, activity, employment or promotional opportunities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws.
Inquiries regarding our non-discrimination policies should be directed to:
District Title IX Coordinator
Shared Services
Paula Gladu-Morabito
94 Battistoni Drive
Winsted, CT 06098
Phone: 860-379-8583
Shared Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, disability or other protected class status under applicable law in any of its programs and activities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) is an Act that prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program receiving Federal financial assistance. For the purposes of Section 504, the term “disability” with respect to an individual means: 1. a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; 2. a record of such an impairment; or 3. being regarded as having such an impairment. In order to fulfill its obligation under Section 504, Shared Services recognizes a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel, students, parents and members of the public who participate in school-sponsored programs. In this regard, Shared Services will not knowingly permit discrimination against any person with a disability in any of the programs operated by the school system.
Persons who feel that they may have been discriminated against on the basis of disability should contact:
District Section 504 Coordinator
Shared Services
Paula Gladu-Morabit
94 Battistoni Drive
Winsted, CT 06098
Phone: 860-379-8583
Shared Services also has specific responsibilities under Section 504 with respect to providing access to appropriate educational services for students who qualify under Section 504. These responsibilities include the obligation to identify, to evaluate, and to afford access to appropriate educational services. If the parent or guardian disagrees with the decisions made by the professional staff of the school district with respect to the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of their child, he/she has a right to an impartial hearing. Additional written information about an impartial hearing is available on request from the Section 504 Coordinator.
What is a 504 Plan
Q. What is a 504 plan?
A. A 504 plan is a legal document falling under the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is designed to plan a program of instructional services to assist students with special needs who are in a regular education setting. A 504 plan is not an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as is required for special education students. However, a student moving from a special education to a regular education placement could be placed under a 504 plan.
Q. How is a student considered for a 504 plan?
A. A student with a physical or emotional disability, or who has an impairment (i.e. Attention Deficit Disorder) that restricts one or more major life activities.
Q. What are examples of "major life activities"?
A. Major life activities include caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, and learning.
Q. What is the process for placing a student on a 504 plan?
A. There are essentially four steps:
Student is referred by teacher, support staff, parent/legal guardian, physician, or therapist.
A 504 plan meeting is held.
A plan for the student is developed.
A review date is set.
Q. Who is involved in the process?
A. The student, parent/legal guardian, teachers, principals, Pupil Services administrators, support staff (i.e. nurse, counselor, psychologist, language/speech pathologist) as well as the student's physician or therapist may be involved in the placement process including the 504 meeting
Q. What accommodations might be included in the 504 plan?
Some examples are presented below:
A child's seat assignment accommodates a disability.
A diabetic child may be permitted to eat in the classroom.
A child may be permitted to go to the office for the administration of medication.
A student's assignments or testing conditions may be adjusted (i.e. extensions of time, modification of test questions).
Note: This is a team process where all members of the team, not just the teacher, may have responsibilities in fulfilling the requirements of the 504 plan.
Q. What if I disagree with the 504 plan or any of its components? What are my rights?
A. If you disagree with the 504 plan you can:
Express your views at the meeting and suggest alternatives.
Q. Once the plan is approved, what are the teacher/school's responsibilities?
A. They are expected to reasonably follow the strategies written to implement the plan and to participate in the review process.
Q. Can a 504 plan be altered and can I request changes in the plan?
A. Yes. Make a written request and send a copy to the administrator that attended the meeting where the original plan was approved. In addition, be sure that there is a planned review date on the original 504 document so that the effectiveness of the plan can be evaluated and adjustments made, if needed, at that time.
Inquiries regarding our non-discrimination policies should be directed to:
District Title IX Coordinator
Shared Services
Paula Gladu-Morabito
94 Battistoni Drive
Winsted, CT 06098
Phone: 860-379-8583
Shared Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, disability or other protected class status under applicable law in any of its programs and activities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) is an Act that prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program receiving Federal financial assistance. For the purposes of Section 504, the term “disability” with respect to an individual means: 1. a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; 2. a record of such an impairment; or 3. being regarded as having such an impairment. In order to fulfill its obligation under Section 504, Shared Services recognizes a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel, students, parents and members of the public who participate in school-sponsored programs. In this regard, Shared Services will not knowingly permit discrimination against any person with a disability in any of the programs operated by the school system.
Persons who feel that they may have been discriminated against on the basis of disability should contact:
District Section 504 Coordinator
Shared Services
Paula Gladu-Morabit
94 Battistoni Drive
Winsted, CT 06098
Phone: 860-379-8583
Shared Services also has specific responsibilities under Section 504 with respect to providing access to appropriate educational services for students who qualify under Section 504. These responsibilities include the obligation to identify, to evaluate, and to afford access to appropriate educational services. If the parent or guardian disagrees with the decisions made by the professional staff of the school district with respect to the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of their child, he/she has a right to an impartial hearing. Additional written information about an impartial hearing is available on request from the Section 504 Coordinator.
What is a 504 Plan
Q. What is a 504 plan?
A. A 504 plan is a legal document falling under the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is designed to plan a program of instructional services to assist students with special needs who are in a regular education setting. A 504 plan is not an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as is required for special education students. However, a student moving from a special education to a regular education placement could be placed under a 504 plan.
Q. How is a student considered for a 504 plan?
A. A student with a physical or emotional disability, or who has an impairment (i.e. Attention Deficit Disorder) that restricts one or more major life activities.
Q. What are examples of "major life activities"?
A. Major life activities include caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, and learning.
Q. What is the process for placing a student on a 504 plan?
A. There are essentially four steps:
Student is referred by teacher, support staff, parent/legal guardian, physician, or therapist.
A 504 plan meeting is held.
A plan for the student is developed.
A review date is set.
Q. Who is involved in the process?
A. The student, parent/legal guardian, teachers, principals, Pupil Services administrators, support staff (i.e. nurse, counselor, psychologist, language/speech pathologist) as well as the student's physician or therapist may be involved in the placement process including the 504 meeting
Q. What accommodations might be included in the 504 plan?
Some examples are presented below:
A child's seat assignment accommodates a disability.
A diabetic child may be permitted to eat in the classroom.
A child may be permitted to go to the office for the administration of medication.
A student's assignments or testing conditions may be adjusted (i.e. extensions of time, modification of test questions).
Note: This is a team process where all members of the team, not just the teacher, may have responsibilities in fulfilling the requirements of the 504 plan.
Q. What if I disagree with the 504 plan or any of its components? What are my rights?
A. If you disagree with the 504 plan you can:
Express your views at the meeting and suggest alternatives.
Q. Once the plan is approved, what are the teacher/school's responsibilities?
A. They are expected to reasonably follow the strategies written to implement the plan and to participate in the review process.
Q. Can a 504 plan be altered and can I request changes in the plan?
A. Yes. Make a written request and send a copy to the administrator that attended the meeting where the original plan was approved. In addition, be sure that there is a planned review date on the original 504 document so that the effectiveness of the plan can be evaluated and adjustments made, if needed, at that time.
