Compares and Contrast IDEA and Section 504... The answer included a comprehensive
comparison and contrast of eligibility, documentation, parental consent, and parental
involvement
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, IDEA versus Section 504
IDEA is a Federal law that is in charge of services of special education in the United
States. These services include funding to the local and states educational agencies that ensure
education to those students with disabilities (Zirkel, 2019). On the other hand, Section 504 is not
Federal law, but rather, it is a civil right statute. Section 504 ensures that students with
disabilities are taken by receiving special accommodations. It also ensures that all schools, public
or private, that receive federal funding do not discriminate against students with disabilities. In
this paper, I will compare and contrast IDEA and Section 504 in Eligibility, documentation,
parental consent, and parental involvement.
Eligibility
IDEA requires a child to meet at least one of the thirteen disability categories indicated in
the law to be considered eligible for special services (Zirkel, 2019). These categories include
deafness, autism, visual impairment, mental retardation, and others. The child will be considered
eligible if at least one of the thirteen conditions seriously affects the educational performance of
the student. Alternatively, a child between the age of three and nine may be considered eligible
for special education if he or she is experiencing delays in development. On the other hand,
Section 504 requires one to have an identified mental or physical condition that adversely
hinders significant life activity to be eligible for its services. These conditions include asthma.
In both IDEA and Section 504, one must have at least one identified disability to be
considered as eligible for the services.
Documentation