Each school is required to have a Section 504 Coordinator. Developing any plan requires working together as a team. Work with your child’s school nurse, primary care provider (PCP), and the Section 504 Coordinator to create a 504 Plan.

A 504 Plan helps a child with special health care needs to fully participate in school. Usually, a 504 Plan is used by a general education student who is not eligible for special education services. A 504 Plan lists accommodations related to the child’s disability and required by the child so that he or she may participate in the general classroom setting and educational programs. For example, a 504 Plan may include:

• Plans to make a school wheelchair-accessible
• Your child’s assistive technology needs during the school day
• Permission for your child to type assignments instead of writing them by hand
• Permission for your child to hand in assignments late due to illness or a hospital stay

Source: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=7&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Community+Health+and+Safety&L3=Family+and+Community+Health&L4=Children+and+Youth+with+Special+Health+Needs&L5=Directions%3A+Resources+for+Your+Child%27s+Care&L6=Chapter+8%3A+Making+Education+Work+for+Your+Child&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dph_populations_special_needs_directions_c_chap8.09_504_plan&csid=Eeohhs2

504 plans may be developed by a committee consisting of:

• The parent/legal guardian
• teachers
• principal
• administration
• support staff (nurse, counselor, psychologist, speech therapist)
• a physician
• the student (if appropriate)

Source: http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/504_Plan#Who_is_Involved_in_the_504_Plan_Process.3F

In developing a 504 plan, the process should include:

• A school evaluation
• A letter from your child’s PCP describing the disability, related problems, and needed medications and/or treatments
• Identification of the accommodations to be provided – physical and instructional
• Your child’s Individualized Health Care Plan (IHCP)
• A copy of the Emergency Information Form for Children with Special Health Needs (Word).

If you are having trouble creating a 504 Plan or getting appropriate accommodations for your child, contact the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at 617-223-9662 or 617-223-9695 (TTY).

Source: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=7&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Community+Health+and+Safety&L3=Family+and+Community+Health&L4=Children+and+Youth+with+Special+Health+Needs&L5=Directions%3A+Resources+for+Your+Child%27s+Care&L6=Chapter+8%3A+Making+Education+Work+for+Your+Child&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dph_populations_special_needs_directions_c_chap8.09_504_plan&csid=Eeohhs2

There are any number of possible accommodations that might be included in a 504 plan. Here are some examples:

• A student may have his/her test questions modified (length of test or different questions)
• A student may have a special seating assignment to accommodate need(s)
• A student may be permitted to have an extra set of texts (a school set and a home set)
• A student may be permitted to leave the classroom for certain activities
• A student may be permitted to use a private rest room (mobility and dignity issues)

There are many possible accommodations that a team may consider appropriate for an individual student. It is important to keep in mind that all participants within the scope of the 504 planning meeting share equal value when making recommendations. Any member of the 504 team may be required to carry out certain portions of the 504 plan to be assured that accommodations become a reality.

Source: http://www.pleasanton.k12.ca.us/educationalservices/pupilservices/504Plans.cfm#Becomes

Here is a sample 504 plan for a student who has epilepsy:

Example 504 plan for a student who has epilepsy

Source: http://specialchildren.about.com/od/504s/qt/sample504.htm