What is a 504 Plan?

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. Special Education Attorney Grace Clark explains, “(I)t levels the playing field. If a child has a disability and it impairs their ability to get an education, the school…can give them accommodations and sometimes services that make their access to education the same as their non-disabled peers.” Accommodations provided under a 504 plan are designed to give children with disabilities access to the learning environment. To qualify, a child must have a disability that interferes with learning in their general education classroom.

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