Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the subsequent Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008, is intended to prevent intentional or unintentional discrimination against persons with disabilities. This legislation protects the civil rights of people with disabilities, i.e., physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities. It prohibits discrimination against individuals on the sole basis of a disability. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is enforced under guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
A Section 504 Accommodations Plan is a document designed to assist an eligible student by setting out the accommodations and services the student will need to participate in the general education program. This plan is not the same as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).