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School: IEP & 504

504 plans: accommodations for students with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety and more

A 504 plan gives a student with a disability the accommodations they need to access learning, without special education instruction. It comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a civil rights law that applies to every public school.

Updated · 3 min read

Who qualifies

A student qualifies when they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, such as learning, reading, concentrating or thinking. ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, diabetes or food allergies are common examples.

The definition is broader than for an IEP: many students who don't qualify for special education can still get a 504 plan.

Typical accommodations

  • Extended time on tests and assignments.
  • Preferential seating, movement breaks, a quiet place to test.
  • Audiobooks, text-to-speech, a laptop or speech-to-text.
  • Copies of notes, reduced copying, directions repeated or chunked.
  • A health plan for medication, snacks or emergency procedures.

How to get one

  1. Write to the school's 504 coordinator (or the principal) describing your concerns and asking for a 504 evaluation.
  2. Share supporting documents: diagnosis, evaluations, teacher observations.
  3. The school evaluates and meets to decide eligibility and accommodations.
  4. The plan is written and shared with your child's teachers.
  5. Ask for a review at least once a year and whenever things change, such as a new school or new needs.

The process in Lumina

How Lumina helps, step by step

  1. 1

    Create a “504 plan” deadline

    Use the 504 plan type for the annual review and for the start of each school year, with reminders in your calendar.

  2. 2

    List the accommodations on the profile

    Add them under Accommodations on your child's profile: they appear at the top of every summary.

  3. 3

    Note when accommodations aren't followed

    A School note, dated, each time something isn't applied. It's the strongest evidence at the next review.

  4. 4

    Share a back-to-school summary

    In September, send new teachers a short PDF: accommodations, what helps, and the latest evaluation attached.

Everything you write stays encrypted on your device: neither Lumina nor anyone else can read it.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 504 plan the same as an IEP?+

No. A 504 plan provides accommodations; an IEP adds specialized instruction and services. See our IEP vs 504 comparison.

Does a 504 plan follow my child to a new school?+

It should transfer within public schools, but always share it with the new school and ask for a meeting to confirm it's in place.

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This guide gives general information, not legal or medical advice. Rules and timelines vary by state and district and can change: check with your school district, your state agency or the official websites. Lumina is not a medical device.