Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act states that a person with a disability may not be excluded from, denied participation in, or be discriminated against by any federally funded program. Section 504 is an accommodation plan that is provided to a student with a disability that affects the student’s learning but does not require special education instruction. Section 504 defines a person with a disability as anyone who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Major life activities include: caring for one’s self, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, performing manual tasks, and learning. A person seeking relief under Section 504 must have a record of the impairment.
Once a student receives a 504 plan, that student will be given accommodations. Additional examples of accommodations include: test shall be read verbatim to student; student shall receive a cooling off period; student shall be allowed to tape lectures for replay; arrange for assistance in carrying books; allow extra time between classes; provide modified eating utensils; provide a more comfortable style of desk; have teachers prepare outlines of presentations; remove allergens; provide rest periods.
A form written request for evaluation under IDEA and/or 504 is available here.
For more information on 504 plans, please see: Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools available here.
