Section 504
Every student with a disability is protected from discrimination under federal law—Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This law prohibits discrimination based on disability in any program or activity that receives funding from the federal government. All Washington state public schools must comply with this federal law.
Section 504 requires public schools to provide a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to every student with a disability—regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. Under Section 504, schools must provide students with disabilities the accommodations, aids, and services they need to access and benefit from education equally with their peers.