Section 504 Overview

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a non-discrimination, civil rights, statute enacted by the United States Congress, the purpose of which is to prevent discrimination and to ensure that persons with disabilities have opportunities and benefits comparable to, or as effective as, those provided to persons without disabilities. 

    Under Section 504, an eligible student is one who: a) has; b) has a record of; or c) is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.  ‘Major life activities’ include, but are not limited to, activities such as seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, breathing, working, standing, walking, lifting, bending, speaking, reading, concentrating, communicating or learning. When considering whether a disability substantially limits a major life activity, the impact of the disability must be considered without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures (hearing aids, medication, behavioral adaptations).  Likewise, the duration, or expected duration of the condition relative to its limitation on an individual may impact whether that individual is deemed “substantially limited.” Accordingly, the District has adopted policies and procedures to ensure that discrimination does not take place.

    Section 504 procedures and practices at San Marcos CISD are based on the laws and regulations from the following sources:

    • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

    • The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

    • Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

    • Guidance from the United States Office of Civil Rights

    • Judicial decisions

    • San Marcos CISD Board Policies

    Campus Procedures

    Section 504 referrals can be made by parents or staff, or the student may self-refer.  A student who has been determined, as a result of an evaluation, to have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, is eligible for protections under Section 504. Please contact your campus 504 coordinator with any questions you may have regarding evaluation, accommodations or other supports.  

    The Section 504 program is coordinated and overseen by the San Marcos CISD  District Section 504 Coordinator; Adriana Guerrero. Contact information adriana.guerrero@smcisd.net or 512-393-6944.

    Section 504 Resources:

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    Technical Assistance: Section 504
    (Updated January 2024)

    Section 504 Fact Sheet for Families:   ENGLISH   |   SPANISH

    Resources from U.S. Department of Education - Office for Civil Rights (OCR): 
Last Modified on August 1, 2024