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Relationship Between Section 504 and IDEA

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal education law that provides funding and establishes requirements for special education services. While both laws ensure that students with disabilities have access to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), they differ in their purpose, eligibility requirements, and the services they provide.

To be eligible for services under IDEA, a student's disability must adversely affect educational performance, and the student must require specially designed instruction. Under Section 504, eligibility is broader. A student is not required to meet a specific disability category or demonstrate a need for special education services. As a result, some students who do not qualify under IDEA may still be eligible for accommodations through a Section 504 Plan.

Students who qualify for special education under IDEA receive services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP includes the student's specialized instruction, related services, accommodations, and supports. Because the IEP addresses the student's educational needs, students generally do not have both an IEP and a separate Section 504 Plan.

A Section 504 Plan outlines the accommodations and supports a student needs to access the general education curriculum and participate in school activities. While both plans are designed to support students with disabilities, an IEP is typically more comprehensive because it includes specially designed instruction in addition to accommodations.