What is ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individual with disabilities in ALL areas of public life. This includes jobs, schools, transportation and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of this law was to give individuals with disabilities access to employment opportunities, public services on a state and local government level, public accommodations and services, and telecommunications. The two key principles of this law include protection from discrimination and general access.
What is IDEA?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides all students with a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) regardless if they have a disability or not. Part B services under IDEA are available to children with disabilities from age 3-21. Part C services under IDEA are available for children from birth to 2 years 11 months. To be eligible for services under IDEA, the child must have one of the thirteen specified disabilities mentioned in the law.
What is Section 504?
Section 504 is just one section in the Rehabilitation Act which is a civil rights law. This section covers all children who are not covered and protected under IDEA. In the school setting, students would be eligible for a 504 plan that offers accommodations to provide the needed extra support in the general education classroom, if they are not eligible for services under IDEA. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) expanded and broadened the rights under Section 504 to prohibit discrimination for individuals in all agencies and businesses.
What is ESSA?
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaced the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This is a main education law that was created to provide every student in every state with a quality education by holding each states more responsible for how they were educating their students.
Why is knowing and understanding these laws important when working with children, students, and families?
As a future special education teacher, I need to know and understand these laws so I provide each of my students with specialized and unique education to meet their individualized needs. As an educator, these laws will impact everything I do in the classroom, talking with administrators or parents of students. Since I will be the expert in my field for the whole school it is up to me to know and understand what these laws are and how they impact my position. I will also need to know and understand these laws to answer questions from parents who are not as familiar with the laws and the rights they have under these laws.
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