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#KNOWYOUR504

Every student deserves access to an education that works for their health. #KnowYour504 helps students understand their rights under Section 504 and gives them the tools to advocate for better access in their schools.

A Law with a Gap Between Policy and Practice. 

A 504 Plan outlines accommodations a student with a disability may need to access their education. Because disability can affect every student differently, there is no single “standard” 504 Plan. Accommodations should respond to the specific barriers a student experiences and provide the individualized support they need to participate fully in school.

INCONSISTENT

IMPLEMENTATION 

5,794 students with disabilities

found that accommodations

specified in IEPs and 504 Plans

were provided inconsistently, 

DELAYS &

DENIALS

A 2026 federal investigation

found students with

disabilities waiting four

months or longer for

evaluations, delaying

access to needed supports

LACK OF

AWARENESS

Only 50% of surveyed parents

of children with chronic

conditions knew about

special accommodations

or were familiar with

504/IEP plans

"I had a 504 plan but my teachers still marked my absences unexcused, ignored my accomodations, and told me to just 'try harder'. 

Help Close the Gap

TAKE ACTION -

Change starts with making sure schools are held accountable to the protections students already have. Speak up when those protections fall short, and help push for a system where a student’s accommodations are actually honored.

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

SHARE RESOURCES 

JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN

JOIN #KNOWYOUR504

Help make sure disability rights exist beyond the paperwork.

01 — MAKE A VIDEO

Put a student voice behind the issue.

Create a short video about Section 504, school accessibility, or your own experience navigating accommodations.

Include #KnowYour504 in your caption and tag @thechargies so we can find and amplify your post! 

02 — SHARE THE TOOLKIT

Bring #KnowYour504 into your community.

Download our ready-to-share resources and use them at your school, in student organizations, on social media, or within your community.

03 — BRING IT TO YOUR SCHOOL

Bring campaign resources to your disability club, student government, counseling office, school nurse, health class, or another space in your community. Share the toolkit, display a campaign poster, or start a conversation about how accommodations are implemented at your school.

REPORT A 504 VIOLATION

If your accommodations aren’t being followed or you believe your disability rights have been violated at school, you have options. Learn how to document what happened, raise the issue with your school or district, and understand when and how to file a formal complaint.

"A teacher told me in front of my peers that I shouldn't be missing school for appointments because I don't have cancer like another student did." 

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- CM Ambassador

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