Section 504

Protection and Accommodation Plans

Provision of Section 504 Accommodations��includes the responsibilities �of the 504 Team Lead �(or chair)

504 Levels of Protection

There are two levels of 504 protections. The first level of protection is described in AI 2500.14, paragraph 4. a., and applies to all three prongs of the regulation:

​

• 4. POLICY. It is DoDEA policy that:

a. A student with a disability, or who has a record of a disability, or is regarded as having a disability, shall not be excluded from participating in, or be denied the benefits of, any DoDEA education program or activity; or be subjected to discrimination based solely on a disability.

General Protection from Discrimination

This policy protects the student from being denied opportunities, services, extra-curricular activities, or special programs that are available to all students. For this level of protection, any of the three prongs apply.

Second level of 504 Protection

The second level of protection is described in paragraph 4. b., and describes eligibility for a 504 Plan, whose mission is to ensure that the student receives a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

b. DoDEA schools will provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities by implementing reasonable 504 Accommodations upon establishing a student has a disability requiring such 504 Accommodation.

​

For this level, the student must actually have the disability (the first prong), and it must substantially limit a Major Life Activity. When this student is eligible, then additional protections are provided:

• A right for a manifestation determination meeting prior to disciplinary changes in placement
• A right to periodic re-evaluation
• A right to a 504 Accommodation Plan, if they need it to access their education to the same extent as others students
• If the student is in remission, or there are mitigating circumstances keeping the student from needing accommodations (medication, therapy, type of environment, etc.) the student still qualifies for the second level of protection, but does not need an accommodation plan at this time.

Prongs and Corresponding Protections

504 Evaluation Permission

Reasonable Accommodations

• Most reasonable accommodations will occur in the student’s general classroom and involve minor adjustments that enable the student to obtain equal access to learning opportunities.

​

• You should choose a number of accommodations that can be tracked and monitored consistently and with fidelity.

​

• All accommodations on the Plan must be implemented.

​

• Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
• a change is the student’s seating arrangement
• visual aides
• large print educational materials
• use of video recordings
• extended time to complete specific tasks
• Changes in testing setting
• Organizational tools

Inappropriate Accommodations

• Modify the curricular expectations for the student.

They should accommodate to neutralize the unfair effect of the impairment.

​

• Confer an unfair advantage to the student through easier grades or work load over the other general ed students in the classroom.

Level the playing field, but don’t skew it.

​

• Exceed the ability of conscientious teachers to track and implement with fidelity.

The number of accommodations selected can be expected to be used consistently and measured for effectiveness.

If in doubt about the reasonableness or appropriateness of an accommodation, seek consultation from the District POC and General Counsel

​

Explanation and Example of what to include when completing a 504 plan in Aspen�If time, practice with scenario

504 Compliance Review Form�and with practice if time permits

DoDEA Schoology Group �for 504 Resources��Access Code

ZXW6B-F262R