504 plans
Legally required support at school for your child with T1D
What is a 504 plan?
A 504 plan is a legal document put in place to help your child receive accommodations to make attending school with diabetes easier. The document is requested by the parent, created by the school, and agreed upon by both. It can be reviewed and revised at any time.
It stems from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, that prohibits discrimination based on a disability.
A 504 plan spells out responsibilities of the school, the parent, the teachers, and student, and describes ways in which your child's diabetes will be managed while at school or during school activities (such as field trips or after- school sorts or clubs).
What are accommodations, and why does my child with T1D need them?
In the case of a student with diabetes, accommodations may include:
unlimited access to water and restroom use
extended time for assignments or or retakes on tests given when BG is out of range
the right to test and treat BG in class (if appropriate for the student's age and experience)
who will provide medical assistance if necessary on campus and on off- campus school activities) and many others.
They are particular to each student's needs, and can be adjusted to meet changes in the student's requirements or abilities.
But my child’s school says they don’t need a 504 plan.
Having a 504 or not is not up to the school or district.
Your child is legally entitled to a 504 plan. If s/he will be taking any sort of standardized testing (such as Arizona's AASA tests, the SAT, ACT or AP exams in high school), a 504 MUST be in place to allow for any additional time needed, water or bathroom breaks, or even the ability to bring water/snacks/BG testing kits or monitors into the test sessions.
Some schools may be willing to provide these without a 504 during the normal course of school, but they cannot during standardized testing without a documented plan in place.
When should a 504 plan be written?
You should request a 504 meeting (in writing) as soon as you can after your child's diagnosis.
While federal law doesn't mandate a specific timeline for responding to a Section 504 request, schools are generally expected to act promptly, typically within 30 calendar days.
They need to initiate the evaluation process within 45 school days of receiving parental consent.
Once a student is determined eligible, the school has 30 calendar days to develop and implement the initial 504 plan.