Section 504 and special education are two distinct services. Both the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act ensure that students with disabilities have the right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). They both include protections such as eligibility determination, evaluations, procedural safeguards, and the provision of services.

The key difference lies in how services are delivered. Under IDEA, services are provided through special education and related services, requiring an Individualized Education Program (IEP). In contrast, under Section 504, services and accommodations are provided within the general education setting, through a 504 Plan.