INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

• Known as IDEA
• Before IDEA, over 4 million children with disabilities were denied appropriate access to public education
• Occurred in 1975
• Students were denied access into public school
• Others were placed into segregated classrooms or regular classroom without support for their special needs

REQUIREMENTS OF LEGISLATION

• IDEA has 4 sections (A, B, C, D)
• Every child entitled to free and appropriate education
• Ensures that all children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education that meets their unique needs

IDEA ADDRESSES CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

• Students identified by ages of 3 to 21 years of age
• Disability has substantial impact on student learning or behavior
• Part A lays out basic foundation for the rest of the act
• Part B lays out educational guidelines for school children 3 to 21 years of age
• Part C recognizes need for identifying and reaching very young children with disabilities

PART D DESCRIBES NATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN