One of the biggest takeaways from our recent Meet the Medic with Dr. Temara Hajjat? 504 Plans aren’t just for children in elementary, middle, or high school. Students can also have accommodations in college. 🎓
🎓 504 Plans in College
Depending on a student’s individual needs, accommodations may include:
- 🚻 Access to a bathroom or private bathroom
- 🏠 A single dorm room or rooming with only one other student
- 🧼 Housing considerations for students who may be immunocompromised or more vulnerable to illness
- 🧊 Access to a refrigerator and cooking appliances when needed for a specific diet
- 🚗 Preferred parking or closer parking access
- 📚 Academic accommodations
Dr. Hajjat shared an important reminder: it’s better to have an accommodation in place and not need it than to need it and not have it. Having documentation and accommodations established can also make the process easier if a need comes up again later down the line.
📝 Getting Started
Whether you’re completing one for your child or yourself, a good starting point is to look for a 504 Plan outline through your state’s education website and talk with your healthcare provider about your specific needs.
It’s also important to understand the difference between a 504 Plan and a healthcare plan. A healthcare plan is typically created by the school nurse to outline a student’s health needs, while a 504 Plan provides formal educational accommodations and is legally binding.
🚨 What If Accommodations Aren’t Being Met?
If a student’s accommodations aren’t being followed:
- Document what is happening
- Keep records of communication and meetings
- Consider bringing a neutral third party to meetings
- Include appropriate school administrators when necessary