Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination under federal programs. It was created to remove barriers, making public education accessible for all.

This legislation states that: "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."

In contrast to an Individualized Education Plan — which is reserved for students in pre-K-12 public school programs with specific diagnoses who need a special education plan and a team who helps enact it — a 504 plan is a legal document that may include a specific accommodation. These include accommodations such as a note taker or more time on in-class assignments and tests.

A 504 plan is a form of equity. The goal is to provide services and an environment that enables students with disabilities to perform and learn with other students around them.

Under Section 504, an individual with a disability is defined as "persons with a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities." These activities include learning in traditional educational environments.

Those who qualify for Section 504 often experience long-term disability, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Eligibility for a 504 plan is broad, allowing each school to decide who qualifies and how on a case-by-case, individual basis. Section 504 works to ensure college students have access to accommodations.