About This Webinar
Join AFT’s Share My Lesson and expert presenters from the AFT for this free, for-credit webinar exploring the special education essentials to clarify the differences between the IEP (Individualized Education Program) and Section 504 Plan. This webinar will help ensure that educators, paraprofessionals, parents/caregivers, and stakeholders have a clear understanding of their distinct purposes, processes and implications for supporting students with disabilities in the educational setting.
Join this webinar to get an overview of the IEP and 504, including an explanation that both are designed to provide supports for eligible students but function under different federal laws, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This webinar will also compare and contrast the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the IEP and 504 Plan.
This webinar will include in-depth discussion on:
- Legal Framework: Highlighting key differences in eligibility criteria and scope of coverage for the IEP and 504 Plan.
- Purpose and Scope of IEPs: Detailing that IEPs are designed for students with specific qualifying disabilities that impact their educational performance and require instruction from a special education teacher. IEPs provide a comprehensive plan tailored to meet the unique educational needs of the student.
- Purpose and Scope of 504 Plans: Explaining that Section 504 Plans provide accommodations and services to support eligible students in accessing general education by removing barriers.
- Services and Accommodations for IEPs: Detailing the specialized services, accommodations/modifications, and goals outlined in an IEP.
- Services and Accommodations for 504 Plans: Explaining that Section 504 Plans primarily focus on ensuring equal access to education through accommodations and the provision of services by specialized instructional support personnel.
We hope you will register for more webinars in the Special Education Essentials series, where we will dive into practical strategies and approaches that teachers and other school personnel can employ to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Discover how to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities while fostering an atmosphere of diversity, equity and inclusion within your school community.
Note: Each webinar is a stand-alone professional development webinar; you can watch one or all and in any particular order that suits your needs.
