Section 504 Overview
What is a Section 504 Plan?
A Section 504 Plan can provide accommodations for students with disabilities that may help them overcome their disability while receiving the same education as their peers in a general education classroom setting.
Section 504 Team members
How does a Section 504 Plan differ from an IEP or Special Education Plan?
An IEP or Special Education plan requires more specialized instruction that provides more comprehensive support and accommodations and may also require modifications to the general education curriculum; this plan may take place in a different setting than the general education classroom.
What qualifies as a disability
Section 504 Referral Process
Section 504 Eligibility
Implementing Section 504 Accommodations
**Please reach out to Ms. Hammock, School Counselor/Section 504 Chair, or your child's teacher right away if your child has a medical diagnosis that has not been previously reported. An eligibility meeting will be held immediately to determine next steps. **
A Section 504 Plan can provide accommodations for students with disabilities that may help them overcome their disability while receiving the same education as their peers in a general education classroom setting.
Section 504 Team members
- Section 504 Chair
- Current teachers
- Parents and guardians
- Cluster Nurse
- School Psychologist
- School Social Worker
- Administrators
How does a Section 504 Plan differ from an IEP or Special Education Plan?
An IEP or Special Education plan requires more specialized instruction that provides more comprehensive support and accommodations and may also require modifications to the general education curriculum; this plan may take place in a different setting than the general education classroom.
What qualifies as a disability
- Mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
- Any mental or psychological disorder such as mental retardation, specific learning disabilities, emotional or mental illness
- Physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
- Any physiological disorders or conditions, cosmetic disfigurement, neurological, respiratory, reproductive, etc.
- Major life activities: learning, seeing, hearing, eating, walking, thinking, working, stooping, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, reading, communicating, sitting, reaching, procreating.
Section 504 Referral Process
- Parents or School may make referral
- Even if the parent does not express concerns, it is ALWAYS the school’s responsibility to refer any child suspected of having a disability that may require protection and/or accommodation
Section 504 Eligibility
- Must first be determined if a student is eligible for protection under Section 504, and if they require the support of an accommodation plan. NOTE: Students can have protection under 504 but not require any accommodations.
- For example, a student has a disability such as diabetes but she is making acceptable grades, performing well on standardized tests and does not appear to be struggling in class as a result of her disability. Therefore, she would be given Section 504 protection but not an accommodation plan. Instead she may need a healthcare plan that is generated by the Cluster Nurse.
- Accommodations must be reasonable, not necessarily those requested by parents; they are designed to level the playing field, not give the student an advantage.
- Extended time on tests/assignments
- Frequent breaks
- Small group administration of tests
Implementing Section 504 Accommodations
- Once a plan is in place, the accommodations must be implemented by the school in all areas (classroom, specials, etc.)
- Failing to do so may result in legal action such as a grievance hearing, compliance sanctions, and lawsuits.
- Section 504 Annual Review and Reevaluation
- Plans must be reviewed annually to see if the accommodations are still required and appropriate.
- Medical documentation must be obtained every 3 years for re-eligibility purposes.
**Please reach out to Ms. Hammock, School Counselor/Section 504 Chair, or your child's teacher right away if your child has a medical diagnosis that has not been previously reported. An eligibility meeting will be held immediately to determine next steps. **