What kind of services and/or accommodations can my child get under section 504?

n theory, under section 504 your child is entitled to receive services and accommodations that allow him/her to fully participate in all school activities.  An accommodation is any kind of change in the school or classroom structure, schedule or instruction that allows your child to participate in all school activities.  A service can range from dispensing medication to providing a full time para-professional to work with your child.

 

Section 504 accommodations may be very simple.  For a boy with asthma who gets attacks when his neck is exposed in cold weather, for example, a teacher might make sure that he wears a scarf during recess in the winter.  A child with a writing impairment might be permitted to use a pencil or computer for writing assignments, or a child with a chalk allergy can be taught in a chalk-free environment.  On the more expensive side, a school might be required to provide nurse accompaniment on a school bus for a child with a severe seizure disorder, a paraprofessional to help a child with ADD stay focused, or a ramp in an auditorium used for graduation ceremonies for a child in a wheelchair.

 

Depending upon how knowledgeable and cooperative your school district is, there are some services and/or accommodations that will be easy to get and some that you may have to fight for (see page 10).  504 is most commonly used to allow schools to dispense medication to students during the school day.  If you want accommodations in the classroom and school, you may find that school districts are less familiar with the law, and you may have to educate your school about Section 504.  To get accommodations and/or services that will cost the district money, you should be prepared to use your due process rights to fight for those accommodations.

 

Below are listed some accommodations and/or services that are available under 504.  These are all examples to give you an idea of what's possible.  It is by no means a complete list.

 

For students with medical needs:

·       Getting medicine during the school day

·       Receiving periodic blood tests for blood sugar levels

·       Use of a nebulizer

·       Getting rid of particular allergens (chalk, bleach, pesticides)

 

For students with other physical disabilities:

·         Use of the school elevator

·         Modified participation in gym (adaptive physical education)

·         Learning in a chemical-free environment (for chemical sensitive students)

 

For students with learning disabilities:

·       Allowing use of a tape recorder or calculator

·       Testing accommodations, such as;

*         Having questions read allowed if the student has dyslexia

*         More time to complete tests

*         Taking tests in quiet locations

 

For students with emotional disabilities or other behavioral disabilities:

·       Having a modified classroom schedule

·       Receiving a behavior modification plan

·       Getting the assistance of a para-professional