Policy ACE: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap

The School Committees believe that discrimination against a qualifiedhandicapped person solely on the basis of handicap is unfair and thatqualified handicapped persons should be in the mainstream of life in a school community. It therefore strongly endorses and supports Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its regulations. Under this act a school system:

• May not discriminate against qualified handicapped persons in any aspect of school employment solely on the basis of handicap.
• Must make all programs and activities accessible and open to qualified handicapped persons.
• Must provide free, appropriate education at elementary and secondary levels, including non-academic and extracurricular services and activities, to eligible handicapped persons.
• May not exclude any qualified handicapped person solely on the basis of handicap from participation in any school program or activity.

Accordingly, employees of this school system will comply with the lawand its regulations to ensure nondiscrimination on the basis ofhandicap.

LEGAL REF:

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504
Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
MGL 71B:1 et seq. (Chapter 766 of the Acts of 1972)
Title II, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992
Board of Education Chapter 766 Regulations, adopted 10/74, as amended through 3/28/78

Region Voted to Approve: 12/21/82
Amherst Voted to Approve: 1/4/83
Pelham Voted to Approve: 1/11/83
Effective Date: 12/21/83