Programs and Services
The Special Education Department provides a continuum of programs and services for identified disabled students, from birth to age 26. All students will be educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE), meaning that students will be placed in the educational program or setting that is most appropriate to their needs and least restrictive of their interactions with non-disabled peers. Speech and language therapy, school social work services, educationally relevant occupational and physical therapy, early childhood programs, and classroom programs are some of the programs and services provided. Center-based programs are available within Wayne County in cooperation with Wayne County RESA.
Child Find
Harper Woods School District is committed to providing students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education consistent with federal and state laws. HWSD offers evaluations, programs, and services to individuals who are identified as having, or who are suspected of having, a disability as defined in either the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These services are available to eligible persons ages 0-26 who reside within or attend a K-12 school program within the Harper Woods School District attendance boundaries. For more information about services, parent/student rights, or referral procedures, please contact the HWSD Department of Special Education.
504 Education Plans
Section 504 is a federal law which prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. One of the principal purposes of Section 504 is to ensure that students with disabilities are not denied access to educational facilities, programs, and opportunities on the basis of their disability. For a student to have a disability which may be protected under this law, he or she must: (1) have a mental or physical impairment, (2) which substantially limits, (3) one or more major life activities. For a student to be considered an “eligible student” under Section 504, all three criteria must be fulfilled.
Under Section 504, schools that receive federal funds may not discriminate against eligible students with disabilities. Section 504 also protects students who have a record of a disability, and students who are regarded as having a disability. Discrimination against students in either category is prohibited.
Section 504 requires the District to provide a free appropriate public education (“FAPE”) to each eligible student who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity. Under Section 504, FAPE consists of the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the student’s individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students, and in accordance with Section 504 requirements pertaining to educational setting, evaluation, placement, and procedural safeguards. The FAPE obligation extends to all students described in this paragraph, regardless of the nature or severity of their disability.
Policy statement
The District shall not discriminate against any student having a disability, a record of having had a disability, or who is otherwise regarded as having a disability. The District shall also, as required by law, attempt to locate and identify each student within the District’s jurisdiction who may be an eligible student under Section 504. The District shall evaluate each student identified under Section 504 and provide each eligible student with a FAPE as defined by law.
The District also shall not discriminate against persons based upon any other legally protected characteristic. If you would like more information about 504 identification, please contact your building 504 coordinator (principal or school counselor).
