Section 504 covers qualified students with disabilities who attend schools receiving Federal financial assistance. To be protected under Section 504, a student must be determined to: (1) have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or (2) have a record of such an impairment; or (3) be regarded as having such an impairment. Section 504 requires that school districts provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to qualified students in their jurisdictions who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Section 504 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination based upon disability. Section 504 is a civil rights statute that requires the needs of students with disabilities to be met as adequately as the needs of the non-disabled are met. Students may be eligible to recieve accommodations under Section 504 if they have a qualifying disability.
The 504 Plan is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability receives accommodations that will ensure equal access to the learning environment.
The Individualized Educational Program (IEP) is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability receives specialized instruction and related services.
Not all students with disabilities qualify for Special Education Services. In order to qualify for Special Education, a student must require specialized intstruction and related services.
Those students with disabilities who do not qualify for Special Education may still be eligible to receive accommodations under a 504 Plan if they have a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
There are many types of accommodations that may be provided through a 504 Plan. Some examples include:
