The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act of 2007

A handicap does not prevent education.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or (IDEA) protects the educational rights of children with disabilities from birth to age 21.

There are four sections to the Act, including: General provisions, Assistance for Education of All Children with Disabilities, Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, and National Activities to Improve Education of Children with Disabilities.

The act is comprehensive and requires services that include assessment and plan development, as well as transition to adulthood.

History

Careful education planning leads to success.

Before this law was enacted, children with disabilities could be turned away from school, according to the US Department of Education. The future of these children was abysmal in many places, and in some cases children remained institutionalized their entire lives. These problems led the way for legislation in the 60s and 70s that helped children with varying disabilities to acquire education.

The "Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142)" was passed in 1975. In 1997, it was amended and gained its new name, "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)." More amendments were added in 2004.

Significance

IDEA has improved the lives of many individuals with disabilities. Many comprehensive programs have been developed both in schools and in the community to help students with different disabilities. Transition programs have added a new dimension, creating a requirement that schools create plans that go beyond a high school education. Many students with disabilities would leave high school without a plan without this requirement.

Early Intervention

Early intervention helps children develop as close to normal as possible.

Part C of IDEA deals with early intervention services which are provided to children and their families from ages birth to three. Early intervention involves identification of at risk children, in-home assessment and intervention. The purpose of early intervention is to help children develop as normally as possible in the following areas: physical, cognitive, communication and social/emotional development. The hope is that these services will prevent learning problems in school, reducing special education costs later on.

After assessment, an Individualized Family Service Plan, or IFSP is developed. The IFSP involves the entire family. Depending on the child's needs, the following services might be provided: occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, audiological services, preschool special education instruction, family counseling.

Services to School Age Children

Services to School Age Children are described in Part B of IDEA and provide for special education to children with disabilities from age three through high school. There are eight sections to Part B: General Provisions; State Eligibility; LEA Eligibility, Evaluations, Eligibility, IEPs, and Placement; Procedural Safeguards; Monitoring and Enforcement; Use of Funds; and Preschool Grants.

The key area of Part B involves the development and implementation of the Individualized Education Plan or IEP; including who is involved, the rights of parents and students, assessments and monitoring to be sure the IEP is followed.

Transition to Adulthood

Transition planning might include plans for college or vocational training.

IDEA requires that transition plans are results oriented and based on a student's needs, strengths and interests. The transition plan should be written into the IEP when a student reaches age 14.

References

• US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division: A Guide to Disability Rights Laws
• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities: IDEA the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• US Department of Education: HISTORY Twenty-Five Years of Progress in Educating Children with Disabilities Through IDEA

Resources

• National Dissemination Center for Children With Disabilities: Overview of Early Intervention
• Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004: Transition Services for Education, Work, Independent Living