What is a 504 Plan?

A 504 Plan is a formal plan for how the school will support your child if they have a disability. The goal is to prevent discrimination and to protect the rights of your child while in school and remove their barriers to learning.

Who should get a 504 Plan?

If your child has a disability that limits their daily activities in a major way and they need supports to learn alongside their peers, they should have a 504 Plan. If your child has been denied an IEP, but still requires supports to succeed in school, a 504 Plan is a good option for them. This is because the disabilities covered by a 504 Plan are much broader than the 13 categories covered by IEPs.

Governing Law

These are covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This is a federal civil rights law.

What goes into a 504 Plan?

There is no standardized template for 504 plans. The plans make changes to the environment your child is learning in, not to the content of their classes, depending on what your child’s disabilities are and what supports they find the most helpful. However, a 504 Plan should always include specific accommodations, supports, and services. It also should include the names of the people providing the services and the names of the people responsible for making sure the plan is followed.

What is a 504 Team?

The team can include people who are familiar with your child and who understand any evaluations your child has had and who know what special services are available. For example, the child’s parent or caregiver, the child’s teachers, or the school principal.

Does my child need to be evaluated to get a 504 Plan?

No, but it is often helpful for your child to be evaluated so that the evaluator can provide specific recommendations as to what accommodations would be helpful in addressing your child’s disabilities.

What accommodations are available to my child under a 504 Plan?

There is no specific list of accommodations that a 504 Plan can and can’t provide. They are more flexible and can be tailored to meet your child’s individual needs. Some examples of common accommodations are extra time on assignments or tests, preferential seating, access to audiobooks, or note-taking services.