Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA)
Education of the Handicapped Children Act became Public Law 94-142 in 1975. EHA mandated that all school aged children receive a free appropriate public education. The law was reauthorized in 1986 to add infants, toddlers, and their families. The EHA reauthorized again in 1990 with a new name. It was changed to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was formerly known as the Education of the Handicapped Act. The law had a huge impact on education. IDEA has six major principles. The principles include: zero rejection, nondiscriminatory identification and evaluation, FAPE, Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), due process safeguards, and parent and student participation and shared decision making.
Section 504
Section 504 is a civil law that ensures individuals are not discriminated against based on their disability. The civil law ensures that the child with a disability receives accommodations and modifications and has equal access to an education. Section 504 does not require an Individual Education Program like IDEA does.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with disabilities of 1990, made discriminating against individuals with disabilities a civil rights violation. It also demands that people with disabilities must be provided accessibility to public buildings, public transportation, and public services.
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act there are six major principles. One of the principles is FAPE. All children with a disability shall receive a free, appropriate public education. The education must be provided at the public’s expense, regardless of the type or severity of the child’s disability. FAPE was first mandated in the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in1975.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, is a federal law that strictly protects student records and documents. Students have rights regarding the release of records. This includes any record that contains personally identifiable information that is directly related to the student.
For more information on these laws and other laws that govern the rights and education of individuals with disabilities visit the websites listed below.
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation
http://ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html
Americans with Disabilities Act
http://www.ada.gov/
No Child Left Behind Act of 2002
http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml
Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004
http://idea.ed.gov/
Wrights Law
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm
