This paper is designed to familiarize parents of children with disabilities about why and how Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 affects the education of children with disabilities, to illustrate the differences between Section 504 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and to provide a basic explanation of how Section 504 works. The purpose of Section 504 is stated as the elimination of impediments to full participation by persons with disabilities. Section 504 is described as protecting all persons with a disability who have a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, have a record of such an impairments, or are regarded as having such an impairment. Information is provided on Section 504 regulations that address: (1) free appropriate public education; (2) student evaluation; (3) placement decisions; (4) procedural safeguards, including parental notice, consent, and impartial hearings; and (5) complaints and compliance. (CR)