Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its implementing regulations ("Section 504"), no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The Board of Education does not discriminate in admission or access to, participation in, or treatment, or employment in, its programs or activities. As such, the Board's policies and practices will not discriminate against employees and students with disabilities, will provide equal opportunity for employment, and will make accessible to qualified individuals with disabilities its facilities, programs, and activities. No discrimination will be knowingly permitted against any individual with a disability on the sole basis of that disability in any of the programs, activities, policies, and/or practices in the District.

As used in this policy and the implementing administrative guidelines, "an individual with a disability" means a person who has, had a record of, or is regarded as having, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities are functions such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working.

Major life activities also include the operation of a major bodily function, including, but not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.

An impairment that is episodic in nature or in remission is considered a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active.

The determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity must be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures such as medication, medical supplies, equipment or appliances, low-vision devices (not including ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses), prosthetics (including limbs and devices), hearing aids and cochlear implants or other implantable hearing devices, mobility devices, oxygen therapy equipment or supplies, assistive technology, reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aides or services, or learned behavioral or adaptive neurological modifications.

The Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources is the District's Section 504 Compliance Officer/ADA Coordinator ("District Compliance Officer"). The District Compliance Officer is responsible for coordinating the District's efforts to comply with and fulfill its responsibilities under Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"). A copy of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, including copies of their implementing regulations, may be obtained from the District Compliance Officer. The District Compliance Officer can be reached at:

The District Compliance Officer will oversee the investigation of any complaints of discrimination based on disability, which may be filed pursuant to the Board's adopted grievance procedure, and will attempt to resolve the grievances. Section 504 complaints will be responded to in accordance with the District 504 manual.

The District Compliance Officer, supported by other personnel, will also oversee the training of employees in the District so that all employees understand their rights and responsibilities under Section 504 and the ADA, and are informed of the Board's policies, administrative guidelines and practices with respect to fully implementing and complying with the requirements of Section 504/ADA.

The Board will provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging violations of Section 504/ADA consistent with the Calhoun ISD 504 manual. The Board will further establish and implement a system of procedural safeguards in accordance with Section 504 including the right to an impartial due process hearing.

29 C.F.R. Part 1630
29 U.S.C. 794, Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
34 C.F.R. Part 104
42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq., Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended

Adopted 2/11/09
Revised 10/19/11