504 Plan (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) Overview of 504 Plans

Overview of 504 Plans

Civil Rights Law

Unlike IDEA, Section 504 is a civil rights law that ensures students with disabilities have equal access to education, rather than specialized instruction

Eligibility

Covers students with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities, including learning

Accommodations

Provides necessary accommodations (e.g., extra time on tests, preferential seating) to support students in general education settings without specialized instruction

General Education Focus

Aims to keep students in general education classrooms while providing the necessary support to succeed academically

Examples of Accommodations

Common accommodations include modified homework assignments, behavior intervention plans, and additional time for assignments and tests

Implementation

Teachers must consistently follow and implement the accommodations outlined in the 504 plan