section 504
What is it?
A 504 plan is a legally binding education plan created under the authority of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is designed to create modifications and accommodations for students with special needs who are attending their school’s general education program. For this reason, the 504plan should not be confused with an IEP. However, in some instances, students transitioning from special education to general education classroom placement may qualify for a 504 Plan.
What are the criteria for eligibility under a 504 plan?
Put simply, the student must meet the qualifications set forth inSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The student must exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. have a record of such a physical or mental impairment. be perceived as having such a physical or mental impairment. It is important to note that although a student may not qualify for special education services under the Individuals with DisabilitiesEducation Act (IDEA), he/she may still qualify for a 504 Plan.
What is meant by "major life activities?"
The term "major life activities" includes, but is not necessarily limited to: caring for oneself, the performance of manual tasks, respiration,seeing, hearing, walking, working, learning.
Is the process leading to a 504 Plan similar to the IEP process?
The steps are somewhat similar. However, Section 504 grants far greater leeway than IDEA. Generally, in order to design and implement a 504 Plan, the following steps must be taken: The student is referred by a teacher, parent/guardian, school-based intervention team or support staff, physician, or therapist. It is also possible for the student to initiate a self-referral. A 504 Plan meeting is scheduled and held. If applicable, a 504 Plan is developed for the student. The team sets a review date for the plan.
Who is on the 504 Plan Team?
The following persons make up the 504 Plan Team: 504 Coordinator, the student (when appropriate), student’s parent/guardian, student’s teacher(s), support staff (i.e. school nurse, paraprofessionals, speech therapist, etc.) if appropriate, school administrator/designee.
(Norwalk/La-Mirada Unified School District, 2014)
A 504 plan is a legally binding education plan created under the authority of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is designed to create modifications and accommodations for students with special needs who are attending their school’s general education program. For this reason, the 504plan should not be confused with an IEP. However, in some instances, students transitioning from special education to general education classroom placement may qualify for a 504 Plan.
What are the criteria for eligibility under a 504 plan?
Put simply, the student must meet the qualifications set forth inSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The student must exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. have a record of such a physical or mental impairment. be perceived as having such a physical or mental impairment. It is important to note that although a student may not qualify for special education services under the Individuals with DisabilitiesEducation Act (IDEA), he/she may still qualify for a 504 Plan.
What is meant by "major life activities?"
The term "major life activities" includes, but is not necessarily limited to: caring for oneself, the performance of manual tasks, respiration,seeing, hearing, walking, working, learning.
Is the process leading to a 504 Plan similar to the IEP process?
The steps are somewhat similar. However, Section 504 grants far greater leeway than IDEA. Generally, in order to design and implement a 504 Plan, the following steps must be taken: The student is referred by a teacher, parent/guardian, school-based intervention team or support staff, physician, or therapist. It is also possible for the student to initiate a self-referral. A 504 Plan meeting is scheduled and held. If applicable, a 504 Plan is developed for the student. The team sets a review date for the plan.
Who is on the 504 Plan Team?
The following persons make up the 504 Plan Team: 504 Coordinator, the student (when appropriate), student’s parent/guardian, student’s teacher(s), support staff (i.e. school nurse, paraprofessionals, speech therapist, etc.) if appropriate, school administrator/designee.
(Norwalk/La-Mirada Unified School District, 2014)