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Section 504

A Section 504 Plan is a support plan developed to help students with disabilities succeed in a general education setting. It is based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a federal civil rights law that ensures students with disabilities have equal access to education.

A 504 Plan outlines specific accommodations and supports that remove barriers to learning, allowing the student to participate fully in school activities. These accommodations might include things like extended time on tests, preferential seating, or access to assistive technology.

Unlike special education services, a 504 Plan does not change what or how a student is expected to learn; instead, it provides the tools and adjustments needed to help them learn alongside their peers.

Parents, teachers, and school staff work together to create and review the plan, ensuring it meets the student’s individual needs. The goal is to support each child’s success by providing fair and equitable access to education.

A student may be eligible for a Section 504 Plan if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as learning, reading, concentrating, communicating, or thinking. Eligibility is determined by a school team that reviews a variety of information, which may include:

Medical or psychological evaluations
Academic performance and classroom data
Teacher observations
Parent input
Relevant school records

The team considers how the student’s condition affects their ability to access and participate in school. A formal medical diagnosis can be helpful but is not always required. The focus is on whether the student needs accommodations to have equal access to education.

If your child has a disability and you believe they may need a 504 plan, please reach out to your school counselor for more information.

North West Hendricks School Corporation

Section 504

Counselor Contacts