504 Plan Basics

Understanding the basics of a 504 plan can be beneficial for parents, teachers, and students alike. This plan is designed to provide support and accommodations for students with disabilities, ensuring that they have equal opportunities to succeed in their academic environments. Let's delve into the details of this plan and how it can be implemented.

Students qualify by meeting 1 of the following:

Students are eligible for a 504 plan if they meet one of the following conditions:

Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
Has a record of such impairment.
Is regarded as having such impairment.

Examples of major life activities:

Major life activities can include but are not limited to:

Communicating
Breathing
Concentrating
Hearing
Learning
Thinking
Seeing
Speaking
Walking
Caring for Oneself
Reading
Lifting
Eating
Standing
Performing Manual Tasks

Who can be on a 504 Team?

The 504 team usually consists of several key individuals who play a role in the student's academic and personal life. These can include:

Student
Parent(s)
Teacher(s)
School Counselor
504 Coordinator
Nurse
School Admin
Therapist
Social Worker
and anyone else with knowledge of the child.

Steps to a 504 Plan:

Implementing a 504 plan involves a few crucial steps:

Request to refer the student or determine their eligibility
Hold an initial eligibility meeting to determine if the student qualifies and what accommodations are required
Review the student’s eligibility & accommodations annually

Example impairments

Impairments can vary greatly among students. Here are some examples of conditions that could qualify a student for a 504 plan, as long as the impairment substantially restricts a major life activity:

Diabetes
ADD/ADHD
Autism
Food allergies
Depression
Anxiety
Auditory processing disorder
Vision impairment

Example 504 Accommodations

Depending on the student's specific needs, a variety of accommodations can be implemented. Here are some examples:

Preferential seating
Extended time on assessments
Movement breaks
Cueing for attention and redirection
Hearing or visual aids

Resources on TPT

For additional resources such as a 504 Annual Review Organizer, a bank of ADD/ADHD specific 504 accommodations, or a 504 Initial Eligibility Meeting Organizer, you can check my TPT store. Links are available in the bio!