Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Overview
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance or conducted by a Federal agency.
Why It Matters
The Section 504 regulations require recipients of Federal funds—including state and local educational agencies—to provide students with disabilities a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
Section 504 ensures that students who have disabilities but do not qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) receive the educational supports and services they need. Schools typically do this by providing students with a 504 Plan.
Deeper Dive
Deeper Dive
The fine details of any law are often complicated and specific. For more in-depth information on the Section 504, see our Learn the Law breakdown. This PDF document takes a much deeper dive into Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.