Definition
Section 504 is a regulation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that extends civil rights to individuals with disabilities. Enforced by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) within the US Department of Health and Human Services, Section 504 states that “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States … shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…” (29 U.S.C. § 794(a)). Section 504 applies to any organization receiving federal funding; thus, it has important implications for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their participation in various educational, recreational, community, and employment settings.
Historical Background
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its prohibition of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin was a catalyst for the development of...
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References and Readings
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Snyder, K., Hume, K., Carnahan, C. (2013). 504 Plan. In: Volkmar, F.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1146
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1146
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