How To Qualify For A 504 Plan In School: The First Two Questions To Ask
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (aka "Section 504") is an extremely important law for disabled students. Having a 504 Plan means a student can receive many accommodations, and even services, to assist them in accessing their school and the curriculum. But, how do you know if your child may qualify? The first step to qualify for a 504 Plan involves evaluating whether a student has a "physical or mental impairment." This alone will not qualify a student, but it is the first question to ask. Per 42 USC (United States Code) �12102 (1)(A) , qualifying physical or mental impairments are described as: (A) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive, digestive, genito-urinary; ...