All About 504 and IDEA

By Ashley Stevens
 What are IDEA & Section 504?

IDEA Section 504

(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)

IDEA is a federal statute 504 is a civil rights law

The purpose of IDEA is to make sure a free and The 504 law protects the rights of individual with
appropriate education services for individuals with disabilities in any place that gets funding from the
disabilities federal government

The goal of IDEA is to provide special education The goal is to provide individuals with disabilities
services to children with disabilities opportunities to participate as any other peers
 Who is Covered?

IDEA: covers children ages 3-21 whose disability affects educational abilities or
their ability to learn from a general education classroom.

504: covers any person with disabilities such as mental, physical or impairments
from discrimination based on their disability.
 Services
IDEA gives the individuals that
qualify any educational services in
addition to what is provided through
general curriculum to allow that
these individuals have access and
can gain from the curriculum.
Section 504 insists that schools
eliminate anything that would stop a
child from being able to participate
fully in anything offered in the general
curriculum.
 Funding
Under IDEA the federal government Under 504 the federal government
gives funding to the states to help the does NOT provide any funding, the
local school or education facilities meet responsibility of funding is left to
the needs of those individuals with
state and local.
disabilities that qualify for IDEA.

The funds from IDEA are NOT

allowed to be used for those
individuals that only are qualified
under section 504.
 Are There Safeguards?

Under IDEA for identifying, evaluating, or placing a

child they must give the parent or guardian written
notice. Also before any changes can be made
there must be written notice.

Although 504 does NOT require written notice, it

does require that the parents or guardians be
notified for identifying, evaluating or placing the
child. There also must be notice if there is any
significant changes.
How does Evaluation and Placement work?
IDEA
Parental consent required (written)
Reevaluation every 3 year
Several learning areas are assessed
and documented to be considered
Placement A group knowledgable on the student
makes the eligibility decision
Group makes sure that the child is
placed in the LRE (Least Restrictive
Environment)
IEP meeting required for changes
Section 504
Only needs to notify does NOT need
consent
Several learning areas are assessed and
documented to be considered
Reevaluate yearly or review every so often
A group knowledgable on the student
makes the eligibility decision
Students be educated in general education
classrooms as appropriate
Does NOT require meeting to make any
changes
 What are your rights?

According to your rights under IDEA there is specific requirements for the school to provide the
parents/guardians with a hearing if they disagree with identification, evaluation or placement.

According to your rights under section 504 the school is to provide a hearing for parents/guardians
disagreement with identification, evaluation or placement. the parents/guardians participate in the
hearing and if wanted to be represented by counsel. Since 504 recommends that school districts
develop guidelines and procedures regarding this.
 References
A COMPARISON of ADA, IDEA, and Section 504. Retrieved April 03, 2017,
from http://dredf.org/advocacy/comparison.html

National Center for Learning Disabilities. (n.d.). Retrieved April 03,

2017, from http://www.ncld.org/