Who qualifies for a 504 plan?

Many students with disabilities who do not qualify for an IEP will qualify for a 504 plan. To be protected under Section 504, a student must be determined to:

• Have a physical or mental impairment (aka a disability) that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or
• Have a record of such an impairment; or
• Be regarded as having such an impairment (aka being subjected to discrimination because of an actual or perceived physical or mental disability, whether or not that impairment substantially limits, or is perceived to substantially limit, a major life activity. This is to protect students from discrimination based on assumptions, stereotypes, or past conditions.)

Section 504 doesn’t include a comprehensive list of disabilities.

In a nutshell, a child is eligible for a 504 plan if they have a disability that interferes with their ability to learn in a general education classroom.

For more information, see our full article What Is a 504 Plan?.