DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 289
November 21, 2008
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Patricia I. Wright Superintendent of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Training for Section
504 Coordinators |
One requirement of Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the federal law that prohibits disability
discrimination in education for all institutions, is that every state and local
education agency appoint a Section 504 designee responsible for the
implementation of this law. The law also requires that Section 504 designees
receive training to help them meet their obligations.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE),
with the assistance of Dr. James F. McKethan, a leading expert on Section 504, will
offer an informational workshop for state and school division Section 504
coordinators on Monday, February 23, 2009, at the Holiday Inn Select-Koger
South Conference Center,
The workshop will begin promptly at 9 a.m.
and conclude at 3:30 p.m. A limited
number of rooms are available at the state rate. However, attendees will be responsible for
their travel expenses. Please complete
and return the attached registration form (Attachment A) no later than Friday, February 13, 2009. Each Section 504
coordinator is encouraged to attend this workshop. Directions and hotel information are provided
in Attachment B.
Section 504 requires school divisions to have
well-published policies against disability discrimination and procedures for
students and their families to raise and resolve issues concerning discrimination. This informational workshop will provide a
brief overview of fundamental civil rights issues and Section 504 regulatory
requirements. Additionally, Section 504
coordinators will receive guidance on suspension and expulsion of 504 students,
Section 504 in a legal context, the impact of the ADA
Amendments Act of 2008 on Section 504, and much more.
We look forward to
working with Section 504 coordinators to ensure compliance with the
requirements and equal access to quality education. For more information, you may contact
Dr. Sandra E.
Ruffin, director of federal program monitoring, at Sandra.Ruffin@doe.virginia.gov
or (804) 225-2768. You may also contact
Mrs. Bonnie B. English, civil rights monitoring specialist, at Bonnie.English@doe.virginia.gov
or
(804) 225-2618.
PIW/SER/bbe
Attachments
a. Section 504 Coordinators Workshop Registration (Word)
b. Section 504 Coordinators Workshop Directions (PDF)