Also known as: section 504 · § 504 · Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act · 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 · Rehabilitation Act § 504 · Rehab Act 504
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A statutory prohibition barring recipients of federal financial assistance from discriminating against individuals on the basis of disability.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Lincoln High School receives federal grants for its athletic program. It refuses to allow student Maya, who uses a wheelchair, to join the class trip to the state capitol because the venue lacks an accessible bus. The school's refusal violates Section 504.
Riverside Hospital accepts Medicare funds. It declines to provide sign-language interpreters to deaf patient Carlos during surgery, forcing him to rely on family members. The denial of auxiliary aids constitutes discrimination under Section 504.
Any entity that receives federal financial assistance, including public schools, hospitals, universities, and state agencies, must comply with the nondiscrimination mandate.
Individuals may file an administrative complaint with the funding agency or bring a private lawsuit seeking injunctive relief and, in some circuits, compensatory damages.
Yes. Recipients must make reasonable modifications to policies and provide auxiliary aids unless doing so would fundamentally alter the program or impose an undue burden.