Section 504 is an anti-discrimination, 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. Section 504 regulations require a school district to provide a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to each qualified student with a disability who is in the school district's jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the qualifying disability.

• Section 504 is a broad federal civil rights law that protects all individuals with a handicap.

• IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act) only applies to students who require special education because they have one of the specified types of disabilities.

• Students who qualify under section 504 must have a 504 plan that outlines the services to be provided. Some students will also qualify under the more stringent IDEA. These students will have an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) rather than a 504 plan.