Randomized Controlled Trial Testing a Training Program About Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Understanding and Improving Access to Section 504 Among Students With Disabilities

The goal of this training program is to learn if the intervention (i.e., training program) can improve access to Section 504 among students with disabilities and family caregivers. If students with disabilities and/or family caregivers are educated and empowered about Section 504, then there may be improved access to higher-quality of Section 504 plans. We aim to answer the following question: Is the training program effective?

If there is a comparison group: We (our research team) will compare the intervention group to a waitlist-control group to discern differences in advocacy, empowerment, and knowledge and, subsequently, higher quality Section 504 plans and greater access to services.

Participants will:

• Attend an online class for an hour and a half each week for 6 weeks
• Complete a pre-survey
• Complete a formative evaluation after each program session
• Complete a summative evaluation after the entire advocacy program
• Complete a post-survey after completing the advocacy program
• Complete a follow-up survey
• Submit a copy of their child's (or their) Section 504 plan after providing consent

Inclusion Criteria: The participant must be willing to complete the research measures and the training program as well as meet one of the two following criteria:

• be a student aged 12-21 who receives Section 504 supports during K-12 school
• be the caregiver of a child who receives Section 504 supports during K-12 school