IDEA Section 504

of the
Rehabilitation
And you
 What is IDEA
• Is a federal funded statute to provide Free Appropriate
education to students to with disabilities, who fall under at
least1 of 13 named disabilities categories, between the
ages of 3-21.
• Students who qualify under IDEA, receive an IEP
( individualized education plan). Which is a plan to
accommodate/ modify in order for the student to access
the curriculum.
• Students under IDEA receive special education services.
 What is 504
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, civil rights statute
that protects people against discrimination when
participating in programs which receive federal funds.
• 504 covers all people including students who, have an
impairment which substantially limits one or more major
life activities. 504 covers all students under IDEA as well.
• Failure to comply may result in loss of federal funding.
IEP plan
plan
• Requires students to fall
under at least 1 of 13 named
categories.
• Is federally funded.
• Provides for special
education services.
• Failure to comply may result
in loss of federal funds.
Vs 504
• Cover all people with
disabilities including those
under IDEA.
• Is not federally funded.
• Requires needs be met as
adequately as those without
disabilities.
• Failure to comply may result in
loss of federal funds.
 13 Categories of IDEA
• Autism,
• Deaf-blindness,
• Deafness,
• Emotional disturbance,
• A hearing impairment,
• Intellectual Disability,
• An orthopedic impairment,
• Other health impairment,
• A specific learning disability,
• A speech or language impairment,
• Traumatic brain injury,
• A visual impairment including
blindness, or
• Multiple disabilities.
 How Does this affect me?
• Classroom teachers are required to meet the needs of
students who have IEPs or 504 plans.
• Teachers needs to make necessary accommodations and
modifications. As laid out in the IEP or 504 plan.
• Teachers need to be knowledgeable of the information
listed in each IEP or 504 plan they are responsible for.
 How do I meet the needs of an
IEP
• First step is to read and make sure you understand the
IEP.
• Ensure you have adequate resources to meet the needs of
the student. For instance does the student require
modified assignments, and if so is the assignment being
given to the student appropriately modified.
• And always ask yourself does this child have everything
they need to be successful in this classroom.
 How do I meet the needs of a
504 plan?
• First step is to read and make sure you understand the
504 plan.
• Ensure you have adequate resources to meet the needs of
the student. For instance if the students requires a
modified seating arrangement such as in the case of a
wheelchair. The teacher may need to rearrange decks, or
that a deck tailored to the student is accessible to the
student.
• And always ask yourself does this child have everything
they need to be successful in this classroom.
 What is my role in a 504/ IEP
team?
• As a general education teacher you will be asked to
provide some of the following items, for both 504
meetings and IEP meetings.
• Grades and assessment information
• Notes on student’s behavior, and demeanor in the
classroom.
• Progress towards academic goals
• And make recommdations on how the student can be more
successful in your class.
 I have concerns where do I go?
• Your main point of contact will be the special education
teacher or 504 coordinator this looks different depending
on schools and districts.
• You could also visit the following website
https://www.understood.org/en
• Read up of IDEA and section 504
• And build a relationship with your students with education
plans, often times students know what works and doesn't
work for them.
 Citations
• U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Free Appropriate Public Education for Students With
Disabilities: Requirements Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Washington, D.C., 2010. https://
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/edlite-FAPE504.html
• IDEA 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. 34 C.F.R. Part 300
• 504 29 U.S.C § 749 34 C.F.R. Part 104
• Norlander, Karen Esq, section 504 of the rehabilitation act 2011, National professional Resources Inc. 25 South
Regent Street Port Chester, NY 10573.