Educational Access (Special Education)

students in a row in purple and pink shirts

Special Education and Section 504: Supporting Access and Opportunity

At Lake Orion Community Schools, we are committed to ensuring all students have access to meaningful learning experiences. This includes both Special Education services and Section 504 support, which work together within our broader Educational Access system.

The Educational Access Department, within Student Services, is committed to ensuring that every learner has meaningful access to education, participation, and belonging within Lake Orion Community Schools. Our work spans birth through age 26 and includes both Special Education (IDEA) and Section 504 supports. We believe disability is a natural part of human diversity, and our responsibility as a system is to design environments, instruction, and supports that allow each student to thrive. Through collaboration with families, staff, and community partners, we work to remove barriers, build inclusive practices, and ensure students receive the supports they need to access and benefit from their education.

Our services are organized across a continuum of support, including early intervention, school-based services, and post-secondary transition programming. Whether through classroom accommodations, specialized instruction, or targeted programming, our goal is to meet students where they are and support their growth over time.

Our teams, including special education staff, general education staff, school counselors, and social workers, work collaboratively to support students across settings. We rely on research-based practices, ongoing professional learning, and strong relationships to ensure students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally.

Child Find (Birth– Age 26)
Lake Orion Community Schools identifies, evaluates, and provides services to individuals ages birth through 26 who may have a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

If you suspect a child may need support, referrals are welcome. Please contact the Educational Access Department at (248) 693-5430 for more information.

Educational Access supports

Special Education -- IDEA

Special education provides individualized instruction and services for students who qualify under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Services are delivered through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are designed to meet each student’s unique learning needs.

To learn more about Special Education in Michigan, visit:
Michigan Department of Education – Special Education

Section 504

Section 504 is a federal civil rights law that ensures students with disabilities have equal access to education through appropriate accommodations and supports. Unlike special education services provided through an IEP, Section 504 provides accommodations designed to remove barriers and allow students to participate meaningfully in school.

Eligibility for a Section 504 Plan is determined through an individualized review by a Section 504 team. A student may qualify when they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, have a record of such an impairment, or are regarded as having such an impairment. Eligibility decisions are based on information from a variety of sources and consider each student’s individual needs.

In Lake Orion Community Schools, Section 504 Plans are supported at the building level by school counselors and general education social workers, in collaboration with families, teachers, and other members of the student’s support team.

Section 504 accommodations may include:

Instructional and classroom accommodations
Environmental or sensory supports
Health-related supports
Organizational or behavioral supports

Our goal is to identify and remove barriers so students have equitable access to learning, relationships, and opportunities throughout their educational experience.

To learn more about Section 504, visit:
U.S. Department of Education – Section 504 Overview

Special Education Services

We provide support across a student’s full developmental and educational journey:

Early Intervention (Birth–3)

Through Early On Michigan, we support infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and partner closely with families during early development.

Learn more about Early On:
Early On Michigan

Early Childhood Special Education (Ages 3–5)

Services and programs designed to build foundational skills through inclusive and specialized early learning environments within the district and community.

School-Age Services (K–12)

Supports are individualized and may include:

Resource Room Support
Co-Teaching and Inclusive Classroom Models
Consultation Services

We also provide specialized programming and support for students with a range of needs, including:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Emotional Impairment (EI)
Cognitive Impairment (CI)
Other individualized learning and support needs

Adult Transition Services (Ages 18–26)

Our PHASES program supports young adults in developing independence, employment skills, and community participation as they transition beyond school.

Section 504 Supports

Section 504 plans provide accommodations that ensure students can fully access learning and school activities. Supports may include:

Instructional and classroom accommodations
Environmental or sensory supports
Health-related plans
Organizational and behavioral supports

Plans are developed collaboratively with families and school teams, based on eligibility criteria.

Family Resources

We encourage families to explore the following trusted resources:

These resources provide helpful guidance on special education processes, parent/guardian rights, and ways to support your child’s development and learning.

PHASES Program Completion Ceremony

Jennifer Porter
Sara Leggett
Assistant Superintendent of Educational Access

Natalie Kulikowski
Supervisor of Educational Access

woman smiling
Angela Fox
Educational Access Secretary

woman smiling
Lynne Kniess
Educational Access Secretary

LOCS Administration Building
1335 Joslyn Rd.
Lake Orion, Mich. 48360

Phone: 248-693-5400

Office hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Program Resources

Occupational and Physical Therapists

Psychologists

Website

School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students that strengthen connections between home and school.

School psychologists:

Are uniquely positioned to prepare students to meet the demands of the world in which they live
Have specialized training in both psychology and education which extends their expertise far beyond the most familiar role of conducting evaluations to determine special needs
Can support the social, emotional, and academic learning goals of all students and provide services that impact learning at the individual, small group, classroom, building, or school district level
Can support the social, emotional, and academic learning goals of all students and provide services that impact learning at the individual, small group, classroom, building, or school district level
Collaborate with teachers, administrators, parents, other school specialists and other health professionals to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy, supportive environment
Mandated participants in the following multidisciplinary evaluation teams: Specific Learning Disability, Cognitive Impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Emotional Impairment

Social Workers

Social workers provide support to students and families who are struggling with social, emotional and behavioral issue that impede with school functioning or school success. Social workers also work closely with staff and support teams to develop and implement support plans for students and families. The primary goal for social workers is to help students and families develop social skills, coping skills and strategies that lead to improved independence and success in the educational setting.

Speech therapists

A Speech Language Pathologist is responsible for the identification, diagnosis and treatment of students with speech and language impairments, such as articulation, language, fluency and social skills. We also participate in MET’s, IEP’s and consultation with classroom teachers, parents, ancillary staff and the Intermediate School District. Services may be provided in a variety of settings using various strategies.

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Educational Access (Special Education)

Educational Access supports

Special Education -- IDEA

Section 504

Special Education Services

Program Resources

Occupational and Physical Therapists

Psychologists

Social Workers

Speech therapists

Teacher consultants