Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (commonly known as Section 504) is federal law that affects all programs receiving federal financial assistance of any kind. It is a civil rights and anti-discrimination law. The law is intended to provide equal opportunity for qualified people with disabilities. This translates into the provision of accessibility, the provision of benefits, services, and aids that are equally effective for people with disabilities and those without, as well as the provision of programs and activities that are otherwise free from discrimination based on disability.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
- Frederick County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of disability in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the accompanying regulations.
- Frederick County Public Schools does not discriminate in admission, access to, or treatment of employees in its programs and activities.
Contact Information
Melissa Huntsberry
504 Coordinator
(301) 644-5275
Melissa.Huntsberry@fcps.org
Troy Keller
Director of Special Education
(301) 644-5269
Troy.Keller@fcps.org
- FCPS Section 504 Handbook
- 504 Guide for Parents
- Each school in FCPS has a designated 504 Coordinator. If you have questions regarding your school’s 504 Coordinator, please contact the front office of your child’s school.
All FCPS staff will implement the Section 504 Plan and required accommodations as written. No individual staff member has discretion or authority to alter/otherwise interpret the Section 504 Plan or deny any accommodations granted to the student. FCPS will routinely take steps to ensure staff members are trained in Section 504 rules and procedures. Appropriate FCPS Central Office staff may internally audit a school for Section 504 compliance. The Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education has jurisdiction to enforce Section 504 if the school has discriminated, harassed, or retaliated against anyone based on disability.
Grievance Procedure for FCPS Employees and Citizens – Complaint Form (Return form to Chief Legal Counsel, Frederick County Public Schools, 191 S. East Street, Frederick, MD 21701)
The Grievance Procedures are outlined in:
- Regulation 400-66 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Implementation Guidelines
- Summary of Parental Rights Handbook
- Due Process Safeguards and Grievance Procedures
- With respect to actions regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student who is or may be a person with a disability under Section 504, the following procedural safeguards shall be afforded:
- Notice to parent(s)/guardian(s) (written or oral) of any decision regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the student;
- An opportunity for the parents or guardians of the student to examine relevant educational records;
- An opportunity for an informal resolution session with the director of special education;
- An impartial hearing with the opportunity for participation by the student’s parents or guardian and representation by counsel. All due process hearings shall be conducted by an impartial hearing officer who is not employed by the school system and who does not have a personal or professional interest, which could conflict with his or her objectivity in the hearing.
- Due process hearing proceedings will follow the same timelines as specified in IDEA hearings.
- With respect to actions regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student who is or may be a person with a disability under Section 504, the following procedural safeguards shall be afforded:
- The Complaint Process
- Complaints may be filed with the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education. Appeals and complaints must contain the following information:
- Name, address, and telephone number of the party filing the request;
- The basis of the complaint/appeal (i.e. disability discrimination);
- Name of person(s) who has (have) been adversely affected bythe discrimination and the nature of the adverse impact;
- Name and address of the discriminating agency/school;
- The approximate date of the discriminatory conduct;
- A brief description of the discriminatory conduct;
- Signature of the party filing the request
- Due Process Safeguards and Grievance Procedures