504 Plan and Homebound

Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which applies to people with disabilities. Section 504 is designed to eliminate disability discrimination in programs and activities that receive federal funds.

Section 504 states: “No otherwise qualified individuals with a disability… shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to any discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance.”

Sumner County Schools receives federal financial assistance; thus, individuals with disabilities may not be excluded from participating in district programs or denied benefits of district programs as a result of disability discrimination.

A Section 504 plan is a formal plan written by the Section 504 team that can provide accommodations for those who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities and may need additional supports to access classroom instruction. Not all students with an impairment or medical diagnosis will qualify for a Section 504 plan.

Any student who needs or is believed to need a Section 504 evaluation to determine the need for accommodations and/or services because of an impairment, disability, or suspected disability should be referred to the school's Section 504 Designee.

Eligibility

To qualify for Section 504 protections, a student must:

1. Have a mental or physical impairment
2. Which substantially limits
3. One or more major life activities

The student must meet all three criteria to be eligible for Section 504.

Having a disability does not automatically make a student eligible for a Section 504 plan. The school must do an evaluation to determine if a child’s impairment or disability substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Either the parent or the school can initiate this evaluation. When doing an evaluation for a Section 504 plan, the school considers information from multiple sources, including:

• Documentation of the child’s disability (such as a doctor’s diagnosis)
• Evaluation results (if the school recently evaluated the child for an IEP)
• Observations by the student’s parents and teachers
• Academic record
• Independent evaluations (if available)

Section 504 Team

The Section 504 team is made up of multiple stakeholders who are knowledgeable of the student. The team consists of, but is not limited to:

• Building Level Section 504 Designee
• School Nurse
• School Counselor
• Teachers
• Administrators
• Parents/guardians
• Others as appropriate

Accommodation Plan

After the student is deemed Section 504 eligible, the Section 504 team then considers the impact to the student and determines if a Section 504 Plan is needed. Students who are disabled under Section 504 may need accommodations and/or related services.

If a student qualifies for protections under Section 504 and accommodations are needed, accommodations must:

• Be individualized
• Meet the needs of a student with a disability to the same extent as the needs of a student without disabilities
• Be made to the school and classroom programs
• Place students with disabilities at equal starting levels with nondisabled students
• Be supported by data

The determination of what accommodations are needed must be made by a group of people knowledgeable about the student. The parent must be involved whenever possible.

The Section 504 Plan is designed uniquely for each student according to individual needs. The plan also identifies the persons responsible for the implementation of the plan. A Section 504 plan is written and reviewed annually. Any member of the team can call a meeting prior to the review if there are concerns.

Please contact your building level Section 504 Designee for referral and/or process inquiries.

Homebound instruction is educational services provided by the school district for students who are unable to attend school due to a medical condition that is impacting the student’s ability to attend regular class. Homebound services ensure that students continue to receive instruction and make academic progress while they recover at home or in a healthcare setting.

What Is Homebound Instruction?

Homebound instruction is a temporary placement designed for students who are expected to be absent from school for a minimum of 10 school days due to the necessary medical intervention needed to support their medical condition. This support must be certified by the student's treating physician for the condition that homebound is being requested for.

To Qualify for Homebound a Student Must:

• Be enrolled in the school district
• Need medical supports that currently prevent school attendance
• Provide appropriate medical documentation
• Be approved through the district’s homebound application and review team process

The homebound placement duration is a team decision, and all treating physician information is considered when making a homebound determination (T.C.A. 0520-01-02-.10).

Note: Homebound is not intended to replace regular instruction long-term. It is a support service to bridge the gap during recovery or treatment.

What to Expect

• Individualized Instruction: Certified teachers provide instruction, either in-person (at home or another approved location) or virtually, based on the student's needs.
• Limited Hours: Instruction is a minimum of 3 hours per week, focusing on core subjects.
• Continued Support: Students remain enrolled in their school and receive credit for work completed through the homebound program.

How to Apply

1. Contact your school’s nurse, administrator or counselor to begin the process.
2. Submit the required Homebound Referral Form and Release of Information.
3. The district’s Homebound Review Team will review the application and notify you of placement determination and/or next steps.

Homebound services are here to ensure that all students have access to education, even during challenging times.