Section 504 in Illinois – John B. Comegno II

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In this training, you will gain new insight into regulations, laws and issues that significantly affect your public and private school compliance. Join school law expert John B. Comegno II as he draws from his 15 years of experience representing public school districts, to provide the essential information and practical guidance and explain what it means to your school.

Questions that will be answered include:

• How have the ADA Amendments and new federal regulations changed the eligibility criteria under Section 504? What is the school district’s obligation to identify and evaluate students? Are you under or over identifying?
• Why can’t a health plan substitute for a 504 plan?
• What are the new rules regarding service animals?
• What are the “Child Find” obligations under Section 504? How do they compare with those under IDEA?
• How are discipline and behavioral issues handled with a student eligible under Section 504, as compared/contrasted with a student eligible under IDEA?
• Manifestation determinations under 504

1. Analyze what Section 504 is and to which students it applies.
2. Determine how to use Section 504 to accommodate student disability in a lessrestrictive setting.
3. Establish the similarities and differences between Section 504, IDEA & ADA.
4. Specify child find obligations under Section 504.
5. Explore the various procedural requirements under Section 504 and how they compare with IDEA.
6. Determine when and how to appropriately accommodate behavioral issues.
7. Explore case law under Section 504 and its implications.

Section 504

• What is Section 504?
• Purpose?
• Effect?
• Standards?
• Different than IDEA?
  • How? Why?
  • Practical issues

Basics

• Eligibility criteria
• Less is More
• “Litigation” eligibility criteria?
• Employee accommodations
• Private or independent schools?
• Understand what the criteria is and means

Public School Practical Tools

• Staff the 504 committee the right way
• Parental consent
• Evaluation or “assessment”
• Information sources
• Mitigation measures
• “Placement”

Current Trends and Breaking Issues

• What wins case? Or more importantly, how can we best address student needs? How to properly gather and rely upon needs-driven data to stay compliant
• How are service animals a Section 504 issue?
• Consent considerations. Do they need to sign it?

Transgender Student Rights

• Legal considerations
• Practical challenges
• Relevant court rulings

Case Law Review

Section 504 vs. IDEA

• Compare and contrast
• Policy basics
• Evaluations
• Accommodations

Comegno Combat Rules

• Staying safe

Student Records and Ethics

• Access to plans?
• Information
• Who? How? When? Why?
• Ethical considerations
• Question and answer