What is a 504 plan?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act outlaws discrimination against people with disabilities in facilities that get federal funds-- like public schools.

504 plans are plans that schools make to give kids with disabilities the services and support they need to learn alongside their peers. 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) both can be used to help students with disabilities access education.  IEPs are under a different law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 504 plans and IEPs are two different ways to provide services and support to kids with disabilities.  

504 plans help students with disabilities by giving them necessary: 

• services, 
• materials or technology, 
• and making changes to their learning environment. 

Generally these things are referred to as reasonable accommodations. Examples of reasonable accommodations are: 

• tests read out loud for children with dyslexia or blindness, 
• an enlarger for a child with low vision.
• less written homework for children with disabilities affecting writing, 
• a behavior management plan for a child with a behavior disorder, or 
• an accessible restroom for a child who uses a wheelchair. 

Many students with disabilities can be served by a 504 plan.

What are my rights with a 504 plan?

All children in Georgia have the right to a free and adequate education under the state constitution. Students with IEPs and 504 plans have a right to a free and appropriate education under the IDEA. This is sometimes referred to as FAPE and is a higher standard than the right to a free and adequate education. 504 Plans help students with disabilities access the same education as their classmates.

A child has the right to a 504 plan if:

• they have any disability, have a record of a disability, or are regarded as having a disability, AND
• the disability interferes with their ability to learn in a general education classroom. 

Section 504 does not require that the child's educational performance be adversely affected, so even if your child is getting good grades, they may qualify for a 504 Plan if they are substantially limited in some other major life activity at school.  Everything in the 504 plan can also be included in an IEP if a child needs individualized services. Students have the right to get 504 Plan services for free. 

Parents or guardians:

• have the right to give consent or deny the evaluation of a child. 
• have the right to notice of changes to the 504 Plan. 
  • 504 plans are reviewed each year, and a reevaluation is done at least every three years, unless a guardian consents to continue without a new evaluation.
• have the right to see all their child’s records, and
• have the right to challenge decisions made about their child’s 504 Plan