From NCLD, a description of a 504 plan, which is the implementation of the Civil Rights Law for education.
Even though this article portrays a 504 plan as one to use when your child doesn’t qualify for an IEP, I would add a twist to that. The primary difference between the IEP and a 504 plan is that a 504 plan doesn’t require the school to provide “specialized instruction.” The 504, absent “specialized instruction” focuses instead on leveling the playing field by providing appropriate accommodations.
Sometimes you have to be realistic in assessing your particular school district’s capacity to deliver specialized instruction that is effective. It doesn’t do your child any good if they’re getting pulled from classes in order to get ineffective services in order to fulfill the letter (specifics) of the IEP.
