504 Plans

What is a Section 504 Plan?

Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination. In schools, a 504 Plan can provide accommodations and supports that help a student with a disability access their education as adequately as their peers.

Please contact your school counselor if you have any questions about Section 504. 

Could My Child Be Eligible for a 504 Plan?

A student may be eligible for a Section 504 Plan if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities and requires accommodations for equal access to school.

A medical diagnosis does not automatically mean that a student qualifies for a 504 Plan. Eligibility is determined individually by a school-based team using information from families, teachers, school staff, and other relevant sources.

What Might Accommodations Look Like?

Accommodations are individualized based on a student’s specific needs and may include:

• Preferential seating

• Movement or regulation breaks

• Extended time

• Reduced-distraction testing or work space

• Assistive technology

• Health-related support

•Adjustments to the learning environment

504 Plans and IEPs: What’s the Difference?

Both plans support students with disabilities, but they are governed by different laws and provide different types of support.