accommodations for students with 504 plans

However, after observing his difficulty concentrating in classes and listening to the parents’ report of his struggles at home, the 504 team determines that Jordan’s life activity of concentrating is substantially limited and he qualifies for a 504 plan. The 504 team is unsure of whether Jordan’s disability substantially limits a life activity since he reads, writes, and does math at levels that are well above average. Jordan’s parents have a letter from Jordan’s physician in which she has diagnosed him with ADHD. He is often unsure of when assignments are due and spends four hours a night, on average, completing his unfinished classwork and his homework. Jordan is a ninth grader who is getting As and Bs on his report card, including a B in his Advanced Placement US History class. The parents and the other members of the 504 team must have a shared understanding of the disability, including how the disability substantially limits a life activity. These points, based on my experience advocating for 504 plans, are supported by the Dear Colleague Letter. Following each part of Jordan’s story, I provide some key points that illustrate each principle. To illustrate how these six principles come into play in developing 504 plans, I’ve provided the example of a student I’ve called Jordan. It is my experience that having a shared understanding of the following six basic principles will allow us all to work collaboratively in the best interest of students with disabilities to create meaningful plans.

There are several obstacles to overcome if we are to work together, across the table. In my experience in over four decades on both sides of the table, I have advocated for students both as a public school employee and now, in private practice, as an educational consultant and supervisor of other consultants and advocates. Their plans will only be meaningful if parents and schools collaborate to write plans that are individualized, are communicated to all involved staff, are understandable by all staff, and ultimately are implemented by each staff member. If you have questions about 504 Plans, call your child's school, and ask for the school’s 504 Coordinator.GUIDANCE FROM THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS at the US Department of Education, consisting of a Dear Colleague Letter and Resource Guide on Students with ADHD (2016), has made it clear that many students with ADHD qualify for school 504 plans. This person handles all 504 Plans at the school and is the main contact for parents/guardians. At the 504 meeting, the team will make a final determination of eligibility, develop reasonable accommodations, and complete a 504 Accommodation Plan.Įach school has a staff member who serves as 504 Coordinator.A 504 Team will review the referral along with all supporting materials, assess further if necessary, and send you a 504 meeting notice and procedural safeguards if the team decides the process will move forward.If you think your child might qualify for a 504 Plan, contact the 504 Coordinator at your child's school to heIp you with the paperwork necessary to refer your child for 504 assessment.The impairment must substantially limit the life activity.The student's impairment must affect at least one major life activity, such as seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, breathing, speaking, walking, thinking, learning, or working.The student must have a physical or mental condition that impairs learning or participating in school programs or activities.

How does a student qualify for a 504 Plan? These ways of helping a student with a disability are called accommodations. To provide a student with a disability the same chance to benefit from school programs, services, and activities as a student without a disability, Section 504 requires schools to develop a 504 Plan for students with disabilities.Ī 504 Plan tells what the school will do to help make sure that the individual educational needs of a student with a disability are being met. Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits schools from discriminating against students with disabilities. English | español | 中文 What is a Section 504 Plan? If your child is struggling in school, a Section 504 Plan might help.

Accommodations for students with 504 plans