Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provides accommodations for students identified as having disabilities so they can participate in school programs.
Who is eligible?
What Is a 504 Plan?
A 504 plan is meant to give children with disabilities a little help in school so that they can fulfill their potential. These students don’t require special education but benefit from some specialized accommodations.
The plan gives everyone related to the student's education a solid idea of what needs to be changed to provide the student with a good education. The idea is to provide free appropriate public education (FAPE), and accommodations are made to ensure they get the same education as other students. The method may change slightly to allow for the differences.
The modifications do not change what the student learns, only how they learn it. With the 504 plans, students do not receive specialized services or instruction, such as speech or physical therapy.
Who Is Eligible for a 504 Plan?
The 504 plan is available to students with a physical or mental impairment that causes limitations regarding education. They should have a record of the impairment that outlines their diagnosis and the steps taken to improve symptoms — especially if those symptoms influence a child's learning environment.
While parents may request a plan for their child, the final decision comes from the school administrator. They will evaluate the child and then determine if their disability causes issues or limitations in any activities necessary for school. If so, they may be provided with a 504 plan.
Students don’t have to have a specific disability to qualify, but they should be evaluated if they have any mental or physical impairments that affect their education. Health impairments such as a disease, cerebral palsy, or a colostomy can count toward this, as can mental issues, learning disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. ADHD, autism, hearing impairments, and respiratory conditions are all examples of what could be considered limiting to major life activities.
According to the law, students have rights as follows:
Right to accommodations and modifications to allow them to be educated
Right to specialized services drawn up in the 504 plans
Parents also have rights, including:
Right to access school records and evaluation results for their child
Right to challenge the school district’s decision regarding education for their child, using due process
Right to receive notification of a disability their child has
What Modifications Are Allowed Under a 504 Plan?
Accommodations or modifications may be small, or they may be more extensive. It changes for each student. For this reason, the school must be very aware of the student's limitations and should discuss the issues with parents and teachers, who are the most likely to understand the student and their needs.
Once the limitations have been outlined, it’s necessary to look for ways to reduce the effect. For example, a student may be provided extra time for their homework, a quieter environment for their test, or they could listen to the audio version of a textbook if reading is difficult or impossible. Blood sugar monitoring, wheelchair ramps, or even having textbooks kept in the classroom can also be accommodations made for a student.
Citations:
McLeskey, J., Rosenberg, M. S., & Westling, D. L. (2018). Inclusion: Effective practices for all students (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Resources.
(2025, August 6). Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Section 504). U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved January 25, 2026, from https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/idea.
Smith, M.Ed., S. (n.d.). What Is a 504 Plan?. (The 504 plan). What it is and how to implement it. Retrieved January 25, 2026, from https://www.educationadvanced.com/blog/the-504-plan-what-it-is-and-how-to-implement-it.