Section 504 Definition of an
Individual with a Disability
According to the criteria specified under Section 504, an individual with a disability is defined as:
- A person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The term:
- Physical Impairment: means any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss that affects one or more of the following body systems.
For example:
Epilepsy
Cerebral Palsy
Heart Disease |
AIDS and HIV
Visual impairment
Tourette syndrome |
Allergies
Broken limbs
Hemophilia |
Arthritis
Cancer
Diabetes |
- Mental Impairment: means any mental or psychological disorder such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.
For example:
ADHD
Reading disability |
Depression
Eating disorders |
Conduct disorders
Social maladjustment |
Past drug/alcohol addiction |
- Major life activity: refers to activities such as:
Breathing
Walking |
Talking
Seeing |
Hearing
Learning |
Taking care of oneself |
- Has a record of such an impairment: This means a student who once had a disability but no longer does, and/or who may have been incorrectly classified as disabled.
- Is regarded as having such an impairment: This means a person may be protected under Section 504 even if he or she doesn’t actually have a disability, but is regarded as having one. The idea is to protect people who may have only minor disabilities or no disabilities at all from being discriminated against because of the stereotypical beliefs or negative reactions of others.
(Hulett, 2009; Latham & Latham, 2008; Bartlett et al., 2007; Yell, 2006)
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