A 504 plan is part of an antidiscrimination law in the United States.It helps provide resources for children with disabilities. Students with a mental health or physical disability that impacts their ability to carry outactivities of daily livingcan qualify for this plan. It is provided at no extra cost to families.
The plan covers accommodations or services the school can offer to help remove barriers so the child can continue going to school. Examples of accommodations include a health plan from the school nurse, modified textbooks, an adjusted class schedule, ramps or elevators, and more.
This article reviews who qualifies for a 504, how it is developed, what it covers, and what to expect.
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Differences Between a 504 Plan and an IEP
The 504 and theindividual education plan(IEP) are both designed to help support a child with disabilities at no cost to families. However, the 504 comes from an antidiscrimination law (the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and the IEP falls under the special education law (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).Here are a few key differences:
Who Needs a 504 Plan?
A 504 plan is intended for a child with a physical ormental health disabilitythat impacts their daily activities. This includes physical disabilities that affect a child’s ability to stand, walk, breathe, or eat. It could also involve an inability to communicate, concentrate, or read.
While it is possible for a child could have both an IEP and a 504, it’s unusual for them to have both. In general, an IEP plan is for a child falling behind academically. However, it can include many of the resources a 504 plan includes.
A 504 is available for children with disabilities who don’t qualify for special education. These children may have a disability that needs assistance, but they are not struggling to keep up with their learning or schoolwork.
Do Children With Chronic Illnesses Qualify?Children with chronic illnesses such as asthma,cerebral palsy,spina bifida, and more often qualify for a 504 plan.
Do Children With Chronic Illnesses Qualify?
Children with chronic illnesses such as asthma,cerebral palsy,spina bifida, and more often qualify for a 504 plan.
What Is in a 504 Plan?
The 504 is a section of a civil rights law called the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It helps stop discrimination against those with disabilities. A 504 is a proposal for how the school plans to help remove barriers for a child with a disability.
Making adaptations to the physical environment is one way the school can help. This includes accommodations within a regular classroom or in a special education classroom.
For example, they may allow children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)to sit in front of the class or take a test in a quiet space. For children with chronic illnesses such asdiabetes(condition in which the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body doesn’t respond normally to insulin), the plan would allow them to see the school nurse several times a day. They could have their blood sugar checked, receiveinsulin, or have a snack to help with their blood sugar while there.
Further adaptations that could be in a 504 plan include:
Example of a 504 PlanThe following is an example of a 504 plan for a child who needs a wheelchair to help with mobility. They also have some trouble using eating or writing utensils. This student does not require special education or an IEP as they learn and retain information well.Here are a few possible accommodations the school could take to help this child succeed:School nurse gives or monitors medicationTechnology assistance, such as voice-to-text tools for doing homeworkProvide handouts or notes in advanceRamps and elevatorsAssistance carrying booksExtra books that can stay at the child’s homeHelp with their lunch traySpecial eating or writing utensilsPhysical therapyEducating students and teachers about their condition
Example of a 504 Plan
The following is an example of a 504 plan for a child who needs a wheelchair to help with mobility. They also have some trouble using eating or writing utensils. This student does not require special education or an IEP as they learn and retain information well.Here are a few possible accommodations the school could take to help this child succeed:School nurse gives or monitors medicationTechnology assistance, such as voice-to-text tools for doing homeworkProvide handouts or notes in advanceRamps and elevatorsAssistance carrying booksExtra books that can stay at the child’s homeHelp with their lunch traySpecial eating or writing utensilsPhysical therapyEducating students and teachers about their condition
The following is an example of a 504 plan for a child who needs a wheelchair to help with mobility. They also have some trouble using eating or writing utensils. This student does not require special education or an IEP as they learn and retain information well.
Here are a few possible accommodations the school could take to help this child succeed:
The Evaluation Process
Team members include those who know the student and understand the evaluation criteria. Information that could be used includes:
This information helps the team understand the mental or physical impairment that is causing difficulty for the child. The team decides if the disability limits one or more activities of daily living and the degree of limitation.
What to Expect
Make notes about what you would like to share during the meeting. This helps give the team a better picture of your child’s strengths, weaknesses, interests, and personality.
Summary
A 504 plan is part of an antidiscrimination civil rights law called the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This plan provides resources for students who have a mental or physical disability that impacts their ability to perform activities of daily living. A 504 is provided at no extra cost to families.
While it is similar to an IEP plan, the 504 covers a wider range of eligible disabilities. The evaluation process is thorough, but it is less formal than the IEP.
The 504 plan involves accommodations or services the school can offer to help remove barriers so a student can receive their education. Accommodations might include extra textbooks to keep at home, help with mobility, sitting at the front of the classroom, an adjusted class schedule, ramps or elevators, and more.
A Word From Verywell
As a parent or guardian, it can be overwhelming to ensure your child is receiving support to overcome barriers related to their disability. A 504 is intended to help and works best if you are involved since you know your child better than anyone else. If you don’t think accommodations are helping, or you think they need new or different ones, don’t be shy about reaching out to the team.
Frequently Asked QuestionsChildren qualify for a 504 when they have one or more mental or physical disabilities that makes it difficult for them to complete daily activities.The 504 is covered under an antidiscrimination law, while the IEP falls under a special education law. An IEP is typically for children who are falling behind academically. A 504 helps children with disabilities overcome barriers that affect their ability to attend school and receive an education.The 504 is designed for students with a physical or mental disability that causes problems in one or more daily activity functions. This includes education in a regular classroom with accommodations or in a special education classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children qualify for a 504 when they have one or more mental or physical disabilities that makes it difficult for them to complete daily activities.
The 504 is covered under an antidiscrimination law, while the IEP falls under a special education law. An IEP is typically for children who are falling behind academically. A 504 helps children with disabilities overcome barriers that affect their ability to attend school and receive an education.
The 504 is designed for students with a physical or mental disability that causes problems in one or more daily activity functions. This includes education in a regular classroom with accommodations or in a special education classroom.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities.Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth.org.504 Education Plans.Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.Nemours Kids Health.504 education plans.Pennsylvania State Education Association.504 accommodations guide.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities.Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth.org.504 Education Plans.Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.Nemours Kids Health.504 education plans.Pennsylvania State Education Association.504 accommodations guide.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities.Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth.org.504 Education Plans.Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.Nemours Kids Health.504 education plans.Pennsylvania State Education Association.504 accommodations guide.
U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities.
Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth.org.504 Education Plans.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
Nemours Kids Health.504 education plans.
Pennsylvania State Education Association.504 accommodations guide.
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