504 Plan

What is a 504 Plan?

Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.

Section 504 provides: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . .”

Section 504 requires recipients to provide to students with disabilities appropriate educational services designed to meet the individual needs of such students to the same extent as the needs of students without disabilities are met. An appropriate education for a student with a disability under the Section 504 regulations could consist of education in regular classrooms, education in regular classes with supplementary services, and/or special education and related services. (Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights)

504 Plans are the documents that outline these educational services. These plans can:

  • Be an alternative to an IEP if your child is determined to be ineligible for an IEP

  • Ensure a child’s informal educational supports continue

  • Outline accommodations, modifications, and other services

Section 504 defines a person with a disability as someone who:

  • Has a physical or mental impairment that “substantially” limits one or more major life activity (such as reading or concentrating)

  • Has a record of the impairment

  • Is regarded as having an impairment, or a significant difficulty that isn’t temporary

Section 504 doesn’t specifically list disabilities by name.

Steps for a 504 Plan Evaluation

  1. School does an evaluation to decide if a child’s disability “substantially” limits his/her ability to learn and participate in the general education classroom. Parent or school initiates the evaluation.

  2. School must notify the parents and get the parents’ consent to evaluate a child for a 504 plan. If parent doesn’t consent, and the school wants to go forward with the evaluation, it must request a due process hearing to get permission.

Sources of Information

When considering the implementation of a 504 Plan, a school will consider one or more of the following sources of information:

  • Documentation of the child’s disability (i.e. a doctor’s diagnosis)

  • Evaluation results (if the school recently evaluated the child for an IEP)

  • Observations by the student’s parents/guardians and teachers

  • Academic record

  • Independent evaluations (if available)

Content of a 504 Plan

Like an IEP, a 504 Plan is developed with a team that includes the student’s general education teacher(s), a special education teacher, the school principal, parent(s)/guardian(s), and the child (depending on his/her age and maturity).

Although there is no standard format to a 504 Plan, one should contain the following:

  1. Specific accommodations, supports, or services

  2. Names of the school professional that will provide each service

  3. The name of the person responsible for ensuring the 504 Plan is implemented

Examples of optional inclusions:

  • Specialized instruction in a general education classroom

  • Related services, such as speech or occupational therapy, or counseling

(Source: Understood.org)

Please note that you may request mediation services if there is a disagreement about your child’s 504 Plan.