1

Understanding Differences Between IDEA and 504

Trista Hillman

Fresno Pacific University

20/DFA-ECD-440-EN121 Students with Exceptionalities in School and Community

Professor Marvin Patton

November 22, 2020

 2

Understanding Differences Between IDEA and 504

According to the article, Understanding Differences Between IDEA and 504, “IDEA

stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and section 504 is known as a civil rights

law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disabling conditions by programs and activities

receiving or benefiting from federal financial assistance” (Council for Exceptional Children,

2002, para. 2). Although both benefit children with special needs providing them with extra help

in ways of learning, they are somewhat different.

The differences between IDEA and 504 are the flexibility in the procedures. For example,

a child who is eligible for services under 504 will have less criteria that govern the requirements

of school professionals. Under section 504, schools have the flexibility of offering students less

assistance and monitoring as there are fewer regulations and requirements mandated by the

federal government to instruct the child in terms of compliance.

On the other hand, a child who is eligible for services under IDEA has to meet specific

requirements. Requirements under IDEA are more specific in areas of allotted time frames,

parent participation, and paperwork requirements. IDEA serves people with disabilities from

ages three to twenty-one only whereas section 504, serves this community over a person’s

lifetime and their individual rights in other areas such as employment, access to buildings,

transportation, and education.

Along with these being different in the services they provide, the criteria, eligibility, and

requirements for both also vary including the laws. Each have their own laws and so therefore, it

is important to be educated on these differences and to know how they can or will affect one’s

education.
 3

Reference

Council for Exceptional Children. (2002). Understanding the Differences Between IDEA and

Section 504 | LD Topics | LD OnLine. All About Learning Disabilities and ADHD.

http://www.ldonline.org/article/Understanding_the_Differences_Between_IDEA_and_Se

ction_504