Can a 504 Plan be enforced through Due Process?

An IEP can be enforced through due process, but a 504 does not have this protection. While IEPs and 504 plans are both used to support children with disabilities in the classroom, they do not pull authority from the same laws.

An IEP is the method by which a child receives individualized special education services as described in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). On the other hand, 504 plans are supported by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a civil rights statute. It was written to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities.

For more information, see our article What’s the Difference Between a 504 Plan and an IEP?