ADA 504
PROCEDURES FOR RECEIVING CONSIDERATION
FOR 504/ADA ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE SCHOOL SETTING
To qualify under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a student must have a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities--learning, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, , eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, communicating, concentrating, reading, breathing, working, caring for one's self, and performing manual tasks.
(See 34 C.F.R. Section 103.3)
The specification of physical or mental impairment requires an individual evaluation which must be administered by trained personnel with tests that are validated for the specific purpose for which they are used. Documentation must be current within a three year period to be considered. The necessity of this does not mean that it is sufficient; "the mere presence of an impairment does not automatically mean that the person has a disability" or that it impacts functioning in the school setting. The central and most controlling consideration is whether the specified impairment substantially limits the specified major life activity which in the school setting is most often learning.
If you feel that your student needs accommodations in his/her classes at New Trier High School, the documentation supporting this view should be submitted with the request form to the Committee for Educational Accommodations (CEA) through the student's adviser. The student's name will be placed on the agenda for the next scheduled meeting. This group, consisting of the 504 Coordinator, the School Psychologist, and Coordinator of Health services (auxiliary members include the child's adviser, and social worker when appropriate) meets to review the submitted documentation, current teacher reports and past records and tests. Any application received after May 1st of the current school year will not be reviewed until the end of the first quarter the following school year.
The CEA’s review may conclude that:
- The submitted materials, teacher input and past records support the need for accommodations under Section 504
- No accommodations or further support are indicated in school
- Additional information is necessary for the 504 committee to make a determination
Once 504 accommodations are granted they will be reviewed on a yearly basis. Documentation of the continuing need for 504 accommodations when based on a medical diagnosis is required every year and is the parents'/guardians' responsibility.
In the top right corner of this page, you will find a link which will take you to a PDF or MS Word file of the form to be used to request 504 accommodations, as well as a Parent Report Form to be filled out and turned in with the documentation.
The form, which can then be downloaded and printed, should be filled out and returned to the ADVISER at the address on the bottom of the form. It is important to include your child's adviser, the most important advocate your child has. The process will move forward when the adviser submits the completed request form along with the required documentation and teacher comments which support the request. A second PDF file gives you a sample of the form used in determining the extent to which the impairment limits the major life activity. Hopefully this information will prove useful in determining whether or not to submit a request.
Accommodations for ACT, SAT and AP exams are determined by those testing agencies independent of the school’s decision. Students may submit their documentation directly to ACT or SAT. The testing agencies have an "Exceptions Policy" for students who are not receiving accommodations in school through a 504 Plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP). These "Special Request" applications may be picked up in the testing office, Room 221. The completed application and documentation must be submitted to Mrs. Margaret Stevens (phone: 847-784-2259). Mrs. Stevens will forward the completed materials to the appropriate agency. The testing agency will review the submitted materials and make the final decision on the request. This process can take up to eight weeks. Mrs. Stevens will notify you of the agency's decision