Austin ISD 504 Policies and FAQs
- Q: Who do I contact to request a 504 meeting or to determine if my child is eligible for services in 504?
A: Each AISD campus has a 504 campus coordinator. The coordinator is the main point of contact for 504 related questions and concerns. Please contact the home campus to determine who serves as the campus 504 coordinator. - Q: If my child no longer needs accommodations, does this mean they will be dismissed from 504 services?
A: Not necessarily. 504 students may be placed on “monitor without a plan status,” meaning although they are in 504, they do not currently have a plan (accommodations). A student may need accommodations at a later time in their education and this enables a smooth transition. - Q: If my child is not failing or significantly behind their peers in school, does this mean they are ineligible for 504 services?
A: No, 504 eligibility does not hinge on educational need, but the disability must cause a substantial limitation for at least one major life activity. - Q: If my child is in 504 with accommodations, does this automatically ensure they will receive these accommodations on college admission exams?
A: No, you need to submit a separate accommodation request to the College Board for approval. College Board approval is required for every student requesting accommodations on college entrance exams — even those who receive accommodations regularly at school. The College Board’s request process can take up to seven weeks, so start early. Documentation of the student’s disability and need for specific accommodations is always required and must sometimes be submitted for College Board review. Visit the SSD site for information about the approval process. - Q: Once my child graduates, will his college get information about his disability and accommodations?
A: No, your child is responsible for advocating for themselves at the college level. They will need to visit the college/university disabilities office with any evaluations/diagnoses and accommodation plans they have had at the high school level.
Additional Resources
EasyIEP Parent Portal Instructions
- AISD EdPlan Connect Parent Portal Guide 2023 – English
- AISD EdPlan Connect Parent Portal Guide 2023 – Spanish
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder and often diagnosed in childhood that lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have challenges paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or be overly active. To learn more, review the resources below:
- Understood
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
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Books on ADHD, along with Organizations, Information & Support
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a brain-based learning disability that makes learning to read, write, and/or spell difficult despite adequate instruction and intelligence. Students with dysgraphia, a related learning disorder, demonstrate academic challenges in handwriting, spelling, and written expression. Anytime Austin ISD suspects a student has dyslexia and/or dysgraphia (or parents request an evaluation), the school must ask for parent consent to conduct a Full Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) through special education. Evaluations through the special education process makes sure that students who are eligible for special education services are identified and provided the support they need. Students are not evaluated without parent consent. If parents decline consent for an evaluation through special education, the campus can offer an evaluation through Section 504. To learn more, please, review the Austin ISD webpage for dyslexia.
TEA provides guidance to families and schools around dyslexia. The updated Texas Dyslexia Handbook, linked below, is in effect as of February 10, 2022.
- Texas Dyslexia Handbook 2021
- EL MANUAL SOBRE LA DISLEXIA 2021
- Appendix A - Dyslexia Handbook FAQ (Updated March 18, 2022)
- The Dyslexia Handbook 2021 Update: IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR FAMILIES TO UNDERSTAND
- CAMBIOS IMPORTANTES QUE LAS FAMILIAS DEBEN ENTENDER
Medical Disabilities and Medical Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the leading national public health institute of the United States. It provides informative data about a variety of medical conditions.
American Academy of Pediatrics: An organization of 64,000 pediatricians committed to the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, support and research and is committed to raising awareness and building a community of hope for those with mental illness.
National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is a national family-run organization linking more than 120 chapters and state organizations focused on the issues of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs and their families. It was conceived in Arlington, Virginia in February of 1989 by a group of 18 people determined to make a difference in the way the system works.
National Institute of Mental Health: The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. Detailed information concerning ADHD, as well as many other mental illnesses/disorders is available on their website.
State and Federal Resources
Office of Civil Rights: Legal information and rights. Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities.
Parent & Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary & Secondary Schools: Published by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), December, 2016.
Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities, OCR: The information in this pamphlet, provided by the Office for Civil Rights in the U. S. Department of Education, explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools. This pamphlet also explains the obligations of a postsecondary school to provide academic adjustments, including auxiliary aids and services, to ensure the school does not discriminate on the basis of disability.
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education, Parent Resources Guide to Section 504 in Public and Secondary School
Scholarship and Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities Information
Affordable Colleges.com is a list of scholarships available for students with disabilities, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, plus other disabilities. Includes financial aid resources compiled from many different websites.
On College Educated, you’ll find scholarship information, career resources, school and program rankings and advice on what it takes to enroll and succeed in the college of your choice.