A 504 plan spells out accommodations and modifications necessary to keep students with certain disabilities safe and available for learning.
Although my daughter has no outward signs of impairment, she needs a 504 plan for her hearing impairment and her diabetes.
For us, this has been an easy process. We went to her school and walked through the steps educators need to take to ensure that she has any extra help she may need.
With that, our daughter can be fully involved in school functions and moving toward success. However, I know many parents who struggle with administrators on how to best address their child's problems.
It's important to understand that it is a federal statute for all public schools to comply with 504 plans. It is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination based upon disability.
If you have concerns about your child you can contact your school's Child Study Team to determine if your child is eligible for services. In some cases, parents have hired advocates to help them with this process.
Once a 504 plan is developed, it stays with your child throughout their educational career and is updated annually. The special accommodations can include everything from seating arrangements to additional time for test taking.
There are many websites that can help with your research. Great Schools is a good place to answer some of your basic questions.
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