(a) As a matter of commitment, policy, and compliance with federal and state laws, the department assures that it will provide an equal educational opportunity to all students with a disability in its jurisdiction, regardless of the nature and severity of the disabilities.(b) Provisions of this chapter shall be construed as supplemental to, and in the context of, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended ( 29 U.S.C. §§705, 794; 34 C.F.R. Part 104 ) and the Americans with Disabilities Act ( 42 U.S.C. sections 12101 et seq.; 28 C.F.R. Part 35 ) and longstanding interpretations of Section 504 issued by the United States Department of Education.[Eff 8/20/09] (Auth: HRS § 302A-1112) (Imp: HRS §§ 302A-1101, 302A-1112; 29 U.S.C. §794; 42 U.S.C. §12132; 34 C.F.R. §104.4 )