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Section 504

Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. Section 504 provides:

“No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . . .”

Student Plans Comparison

Who Does It Serve?
Students with identified educational disabilities defined by IDEA

What Does It Do?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a law that governs the provision of educational services for students birth through age 21 or 22 (in MA)

An IEP requires specially designed instruction and can change not only how the child learns but modifications–changes to what the child learns and/or the level or standard.

An IEP can include direct related services such as PT, OT, Speech-Language, and other therapies or types of instruction that support the child’s progress such as low-vision or braille instruction, instruction in specific strategies for the hearing impaired, etc.

Whom Do I Contact?
The ETL at your school.

Who Does It Serve?

Defines disability differently:

Any person who: 1) Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities; 2) Has a record of such an impairment; or 3) Is regarded as having such an impairment.

Major life activities are functions such as performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.

What Does It Do?
Civil Rights legislation to prevent discrimination

Aimed at leveling the playing field
Focused on access to curriculum, school activities, and/or the physical plant
A 504 plan provides accommodations– changes to the environment or teaching modality that do not change the standard or what the child is learning.

A 504 plan can include related services in a consultative model to provide access. For example, an audiologist may show a teacher how to use a student’s FM device or an OT may provide a digital alternative for a student with dysgraphia

Whom Do I Contact?
The school counselor.

Who Does It Serve?
Students with non-curable or chronic medical conditions (i.e. Cystic Fibrosis, IBS). 

What Does It Do?
An IHP is a legal document that ensures all parties provide consistency of care in the case of complex medical conditions. 

An IHP does not change the standard, what the child learns, and in most (but not all) cases how the child learns. 

An IHP may include accommodations so that the child can progress in the curriculum. For example, a child with diabetes who has to go to the clinic 3 times per day for blood sugar checks may need to have someone review what they missed.

Whom Do I Contact?
The school nurse.

Who Does It Serve?
Any student.

What Does It Do?
The District Curriculum Accommodation Plan is governed by MA law (MGL, Chapter 71, Section 38Q1/2 and Chapter 71, Section 59C). The DCAP represents the principal’s responsibility to ensure that general education teachers accommodate ALL learning styles within the general classroom.

A DCAP does not change what the child learns. A DCAP may change how the child learns the material. 

A DCAP is a set of services and supports available in the school (eg., interventionists); but it is also a set of best practices and accommodations. 

Whom Do I Contact? 
The school principal.