Disability Law

What is IDEA?

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that provides rights and protections to children with disabilities and parents or legal guardians. What’s the purpose?

IDEA’s purpose is to provide a free appropriate public education to children with disabilities. It also gives parents or legal guardians a voice in their child’s educations. Is your child eligible?

o   Autism o   Deaf-Blindness o   Deafness o   Emotional disturbance o   Hearing Impairment o   Intellectual disability o   Multiple disabilities o   Orthopedic Impairment o   Other health impairment (i.e.

ADHD, Diabetes) o   Specific learning disability (i.e

Dyslexia, Dyscaculia, & other learning differences)

o   Speech or language impairment o   Traumatic brain injury o   Visual impairment (i.e. blindness)

If it is determined that your child is eligible for special education services you will be able to work along with a team at school to create an IEP, discuss goals, and other services that may be provided.

Resources

o   Understood.org

o   Ada.gov

o   Greatschools.org

o   Parentcenterhub.org

o   Ncld.org

o   Speakseducation.org

IDEA & Learning Exceptionalities

Juliette Pacheco

` Section 504

As  part  of  the  Rehabilitation  Act  of   1973,  Congress  passed  Section  504,  a   civil  rights  law  to  protect  people  with   disabilities  by  eliminating  barriers  and   allowing  full  participation  in  areas  such   as  education  and  the  workplace. Section 504

All students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are covered automatically under Section Section 504. Because necessary accommodations are included in the IEP, there’s no need to write a separate Section 504 plan for these students.  

“Every student

can learn, just not in the same day or in the same

way.”

The ADA

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into a law in July of 1990. It is a federal civil rights law that is designed to provide equal opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities. ADA prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else. The ADA gives equal opportunity to employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in State and local government programs and services.

Resources for Parents

Federal

o   OSEP – Office of Special Education Programs

o   NICHCY – National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities

State (Florida)

o   Agency for Persons with Disabilities o   ACCESS Life

Local (Miami)

o   Parent to Parent of Miami o   Best buddies