Do Colleges Have To Follow 504 Plans?

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973’s Section 504 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) both guarantee impaired students access to public K–12 education in the United States. Let us know ‘Do Colleges Have To Follow 504 Plans?’.

Do Colleges Have To Follow 504 Plans?

These regulations mandate that educational institutions give disabled students the assistance and accommodations necessary to partake in the same educational opportunities as their counterparts without impairments. As a student enters college, their rights and protections, however, alter. We will look into whether colleges must follow 504 plans for students with impairments in this article.

Do colleges have to follow 504 plans?

Students with disabilities are not required to receive the same level of accommodations and services as public K–12 institutions under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. However, colleges and universities are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide students with disabilities with equal access to education. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against disabled individuals in all public settings, including education.

Arrangements Made By College And Universities

Colleges and universities are required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled students so they can access the same educational opportunities as their classmates without impairments. These modifications cannot fundamentally change the character of the course or programme; rather, they must be based on the needs of the particular student. A few examples of accommodations include giving students more time on tests, helping them take notes, or providing sign language interpreters.

College Adherence Towards 504

Do colleges have to adhere to 504 plans, then? The quick response is no. In colleges and universities, 504 plans are not necessary as they are only applicable to K–12 institutions. Yet, many disabled students who enrol in colleges might have 504 plans from their K–12 institutions. These plans can offer useful details regarding the student’s requirements and past successful accommodations.

Reasonable Accommodations

Colleges are required to offer reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, even though they are not compelled to implement 504 plans. Colleges are not required to follow a student’s 504 plan, but they may utilise the material to help them decide what accommodations to provide. In reality, if colleges decide that different accommodations are more suitable for the college environment, they may offer accommodations that are different from those specified in the student’s 504 plan.

504 And ADA

A student might occasionally qualify for modifications under both Section 504 and the ADA. In certain circumstances, the college may decide to adhere to the accommodations specified in the student’s 504 plan, provided that they are compliant with ADA guidelines.

Things To Be Done By Disabled Persons

If you are a college-bound student with a handicap, you should be aware that universities are required to make reasonable accommodations so you can access the same educational opportunities as your classmates without disabilities. You should get in touch with the college’s disability services office as soon as you can to make a request for modifications. You will probably be required to present proof of your condition to the disability services office, and you might also be asked for details on past accommodations that worked well for you.

A copy of your 504 plan should be brought with you to your meeting with the disability services office as well. Although it is not necessary to follow your 504 plan, the college can offer helpful information about your requirements and past adjustments that have worked well.

Argument In Favour Of 504

Section 504 of the statute offers considerable protections for students with disabilities in higher education, which is one benefit of the law. Federally funded colleges and universities are obligated to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities in order to ensure that all facets of campus life, including as academics, extracurricular, and residential life, are accessible to all students with disabilities. This may enable students with disabilities to participate on an equal footing and reach their full potential.

Argument Against 504

The fact that certain schools and universities may consider compliance with Section 504 as a burden and be reluctant to make adjustments for students with disabilities is one potential drawback of the law. As a result, it may be harder for students with disabilities to succeed because of a lack of understanding and support. Furthermore, some disabled students might not be aware of their Section 504 rights and might not get the accommodations they require to succeed in higher education.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 504 plans for students with disabilities are not mandated in colleges and universities. They must, however, make reasonable modifications so that students with disabilities can benefit from the same educational opportunities as their classmates without impairments. Colleges are not required to follow a student’s 504 plan, however they may utilise it as information to help them decide what accommodations to provide. In order to request modifications and provide proof of their handicap, students with disabilities should get in touch with the disability services office at their college as soon as feasible.