Disability Rights Laws in Public Primary and Secondary Education: How Do They Relate?
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Parents and caregivers of children with disabilities are often confused about which laws protect their children from discrimination and provide access to educational and related services in public K-12 schools.
There are three main laws that address the rights of students with disabilities in public schools:
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
These three laws were written and passed at different times in US history. Section 504 was first passed in 1973, IDEA in 1975, and the ADA in 1990. Because they are not part of some grand, overarching plan, it can be confusing to differentiate when and how they apply to students with disabilities. In this factsheet, we describe how these laws differ, so parents can understand the legal basis for both their child’s civil and educational rights and can advocate for them in public schools. This document is a starting point for families to understand the various laws that affect them and how they [...]