Translate504 Plans for Children with Medical Needs in School
As of 2025, this is a fluid issue. 504 plans are still valid under Federal law, but check with your State and Federal representatives for the most up-to-date information.
What is a 504 plan?
The 504 plan helps children with medical conditions who need accommodations at school. A 504 plan provides equal access to education for people with disabilities, focusing on accommodations that make it more feasible for students with learning differences to thrive in a traditional classroom. They ensure that no person with a disability is kept from joining a federally funded program.
You may wonder if charter schools must accommodate kids with learning and thinking differences. Charter schools are public schools. That means they have to follow the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as Section 504 and other civil rights laws.
These plans identify changes to school instruction a child needs to participate fully and succeed. The plan documents the changes your child needs at school. If this could help your child, speak to their teacher to get started.
Why does a child with HCM need a 504 Plan?
Children with HCM may have special needs based on their ability to participate in physical activities. The 504 plan is a formal agreement with the school. It allows changes to activities someone with HCM might find hard, such as physical education. Many of these changes can keep a child with HCM safer at school. For example, the plan might allow the child to stop when they feel short of breath or tired. This might mean walking while the class runs or sitting down for a water break.
Some accommodations for a child with HCM might include:
- Elevator access to upper-floor classrooms if the child has trouble climbing stairs
- Changes to the Physical Education program
- A second set of textbooks to avoid a heavy backpack, which might cause symptoms
- Extra travel time between classes if they need to change rooms
- Home instruction or tutoring during time off for medical appointments, surgery, etc
- Requiring that teachers are CPR/AED trained and an AED is available at the school
Who is eligible for a 504 Plan?
Students with disabilities can receive services. The included disabilities are usually limited to long-term or chronic illnesses, such as HCM. Some temporary issues may qualify in the short term. One example is recovering from an accident.
Children with 504 plans can learn at the same pace as their non-disabled peers with the right accommodations. A child with an intellectual disability will need an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). An IEP plan outlines the special education instruction, support, and services a student needs to thrive in school. Children with HCM may need a 504 plan and not an IEP.
According to the US Department of Education, a child with a disability is defined as a person who:
- Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity;
- Has a record of such an impairment;
- Is regarded as having such an impairment
- Most public schools are covered by Section 504 because they receive federal funding. This law also covers private schools that get financial aid from the federal government. This includes religious schools that are exempt under the ADA.
What is the difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP?
Public schools must give a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to disabled students. With 504 plans, the type of disability or what help a student needs doesn't matter. With some students' issues, an individual education plan (IEP) may be a better way to support them.
A 504 plan and an IEP differ because they take different approaches. The 504 plan is for children who can succeed in a general education classroom with a few changes.
An IEP is for children with issues that require special education services. Services may include changes to instruction and expectations. A 504 plan may have just one or two accommodations (a peanut-free environment, for example). An IEP includes objectives, goals, accommodations, and an agreed-upon educational setting.
Unlike an IEP, a 504 will not include academic goals, benchmarks, or measurements - or the funds to back up these supports. The plan will be tailored to your child's needs and have ways to measure and show your child's progress in the classroom.
What does a 504 Plan cover?
"Major life activities" are covered by the 504 Plan and include needs in daily life, like sight or hearing, focusing, communicating, movement, and learning. The Department of Education includes "major bodily functions" as life activities, so children with physical issues like HCM can be protected under the law.
A 504 plan spells out the changes needed for students to perform at the same level as their peers. These may include elevator access, extra textbooks, home instruction, or extra time for homework.
Each school system may have its form to complete. Check your school's website for this information. If they do not have one, you can download a form or ask that the plan be put into writing. The 504 plan will list specific changes and needs to help your child succeed in a regular classroom.
How is a 504 Plan established?
Parents must go through the process of getting a 504 plan approved and put in place. Sometimes, the school offers a 504 plan for a child they see needing help. Parents can ask for a 504 plan if an illness or life event may impact their child's learning.
The first step is to contact your child's school and ask that your child be evaluated for a 504 plan. You'll usually need a diagnosis from a doctor, and this information must be shared with the school.
The school will follow its rules, assess your child, document the disability, and set up a plan. Testing or other tools are used to find the best support for each child and confirm eligibility.
School districts typically have a coordinator who handles IEP and 504 plans. Usually, a team, including the teacher, principal, counselor, and parents, develops a plan. The team meets to show eligibility and create and monitor the plan.
There is no requirement that a 504 plan be written; what is typically provided varies by the school district. However, most schools write plans to protect themselves and the students and ensure everyone is on the same page. As a parent, asking your school to give a written and signed 504 plan is an excellent way to protect your child.
References:
To learn more about 504 plans, how to qualify and apply, and how they may help your child succeed in school, visit these sites:
U.S. Department of Education. Disability Discrimination: Overview of the Laws.
U.S. Department of Education. Disability Discrimination.
U.S. Department of Education. Know Your Rights: Students with ADHD.
U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools.
Office for Civil Rights.
Parent and educator resource guide to Section 504 in public elementary and secondary schools. U.S. Department of Education.