SPED Law

Question 1

What does IDEA do?

Answer 1

Education act to provide federal assistance to state and local education agencies to guarantee SPED and related services to eligible children with disabilities

Question 2

What is covered under IDEA?

Answer 2

• Requires that public schools identify and evaluate at no cost to parents, students suspected of having a (learning) disability
• Applies to all children who meet eligibility requirements in one or more of the 13 specific disability categories and need specialized instruction
• Requires an IEP
• Requires that schools give prior written notice before making changes to student’s services
• Due process for resolving disagreements between parents and school
• Provides for a FAPE in the LRE for students with disabilities
• Provides procedural safeguards to protect the student’s rights

Question 3

What does ADA do?

Answer 3

It is a civil rights law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, public services, and accommodations

Question 4

What is covered under ADA?

Answer 4

~Protects individuals with a disability who:
–Have a physical or mental disability that limits one or more of life’s activities; or
–Have a record of such impairment; or
–Are regarded as having such impairment
~The person must be qualified for the program, service, or job
~Reasonable accommodations are required for people with a disability to perform essential functions of the job

Question 5

Describe how ADA relates to children with disabilities:

Answer 5

• Applies to nonsectarian private schools, but not to organizations, private schools, or programs controlled by religious organizations
• Applies to any part of the SPED program that is community based and involves job training or placement. Childcare centers and recreation programs

Question 6

What does Section 504 do?

Answer 6

Civil rights law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability

Question 7

What is covered under Section 504?

Answer 7

• Protects anyone with a disability that impairs one or more major life activity
• Prohibits discrimination in any program that receives federal money
• Provides accommodations to remove discriminatory barriers
• Eligibility requires an evaluation that gathers information from a variety of sources
• Provides a 504 plan for eligible students
• Requires that a FAPE in the LRE be provided for students with disabilities
• Provides procedural safeguards to protect the student’s rights

Question 8

Describe how Section 504 relates to children with disabilities:

Answer 8

This is for students throughout their curriculum (insinuating working with students/ children).