What is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?
The purpose of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities. Section 504 of this law protects students with disabilities from being discriminated against in the school setting. This section states that a student with a disability, who does not qualify for services under IDEA, must be granted an equal opportunity to participate in school activities:
A Parent’s Guide to Section 504 in Public Schools
What is a 504 plan?
If your child does not qualify for services under IDEA, they may qualify for a 504 plan. Usually, a 504 plan is written to provide specific accommodations to help a student be successful in the general education classroom. You can review the following case study for an example of the services provided by an occupational therapist when a student has a 504 plan:
Anna was recently diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. She has trouble writing and carrying her books from her locker to her classroom. Anna does not qualify for special education. Instead, the school creates a 504 plan to help accommodate Anna’s needs. The occupational therapist (OT) provides Anna with assistive devices for writing, such as pencil grips, non-skid surfaces, and access to a computer. The OT works with the teacher to record lectures and presentations, as well as provide an outline of the presentation to Anna prior to class. A book caddy is also provided to help Anna carry her books from her locker to class.