Section 504 Plan

Alaina Argianas, School Social Worker

Agenda
● Overview
● How does it apply?
● IEP vs. 504
● What does disability in 504 mean?
● Modification and accommodation
● Accommodation examples
● 504 Plan team members
● Parent rights
● Teacher role
504 Overview

Purpose
● A federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with
disabilities in programs that receive federal funds from the U.S.
Department of Education
How does it apply?
● Prohibits the denial of public education participation or enjoyment of
benefits because of a disability
● Requires the educational needs of disabled students are met the same
as the educational needs of non-disabled students
● Extends to preschool and adult education programs
 IEP vs
● Provides services to meet unique
needs of student
● Child has 1 or more of 13 specific
disabilities
○ Disability affects child
educational performance
and/or ability to learn or
benefit from GenEd
curriculum
504
● Services and changes to
learning environment to
accommodate student
● Child has a disability
○ Disability interferes with
child’s ability to learn in
GenEd classroom
○ Broader definition of
disability
What qualifies as a disability under 504?

● To qualify as an individual with a disability, a person must:

○ Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially
limits 1 or more major life activities
○ Have a record of a physical or mental impairment that
limits 1 or more major life activities OR
○ Be regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits 1 or more major life activities
Modification and accommodation
● Modifies GenEd classroom so student has equal access
● Does NOT always mean modifying curriculum
● Student will receive 504 plan with accommodations that help them to
access learning environment as equally as non-disabled peers
Accommodation Examples
● Student with ADHD
○ Breakdown of assignments
○ Preferential seating
○ Extended time
○ Use of fidget
○ Movement breaks
○ Alternate test setting
Accommodation Examples
● Student with Asthma
○ Alternate activities inside if weather is below 60 degrees
○ Access to nurse when feeling short of breath
○ Access to inhaler before all physical activity
Who can be a part of the 504 process?
● Student
● Parent
● Teacher
● Principal
● Nurse
● Social worker
Parent Rights
● Parent has the right to request a meeting at any time
● Can ask to discuss changing/modifying accommodations
● Has the right to disagree with schools decision
Teacher role
● Help come up with accommodations that would best meet student
needs
● Follow all accommodations once created
Questions?
 THANK YOU!!

Dredf.org. (2018). Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund | A COMPARISON of ADA, IDEA,
and Section 504. [online] Available at: https://dredf.org/advocacy/comparison.html [Accessed 14
Feb. 2018].