Section 504: Rehabilitation Act of 1973 information

Oversight of implementation of Section 504 is an important responsibility of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability against students with disabilities. OCR receives complaints and inquiries in the area of elementary and secondary education involving Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. Most of complaints and inquiries concern identification of students who are protected by Section 504 and the means to obtain an appropriate education for such students.

OCR oversees compliance with Section 504 in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from U.S. Department of Education. Recipients of this Federal financial assistance include public school districts, institutions of higher education, and other state and local education agencies. The regulations implementing Section 504 in the context of educational institutions appear at 34 C.F.R. Part 104.

Any question regarding Section 504 should be directed to:

Kansas City Office
Office for Civil Rights - U.S. Department of Education
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut Street, 3rd floor, Suite 320
Kansas City, MO 64106

Telephone: 816-268-0550
FAX: 816-268-0599; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov

Additional Resources from OCR and the U.S. Department of Education:

Frequently Asked Questions about Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities

Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools

504 Disability Rights Enforcement Highlights

How to File a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights