If schools do not comply with Section 504, what may occur?

• A. Federal financing may be removed by the Office for Civil Rights
• B. They automatically lose accreditation
• C. They are fined by the state
• D. They must implement an IEP

Answer: (A)

Violations of Section 504 trigger enforcement by the Office for Civil Rights, since the law protects students with disabilities from discrimination in programs receiving federal funds. If a school doesn’t comply, OCR can require corrective actions and, in serious cases, withdraw or withhold federal funding until the district meets its obligations. That’s why the most accurate outcome is that federal financing may be removed by OCR.

Accreditation isn’t automatically revoked for 504 noncompliance, and state fines aren’t the typical remedy under this law. Also, an IEP comes from IDEA, while Section 504 uses a 504 plan to provide accommodations, so that isn’t the correct mechanism for compliance under this rule.