Students with Special Needs
Rehabilitation Act & Americans with Disabilties Act.
The U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors. The standards for determining employment discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act are the same as those used in title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act guarantees an appropriate special education as well as accessibility to regular education programs. It requires that all students with disabilities be provided a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.
A person with a disability under Section 504 is any person who
(i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities,
(ii) has a record of such an impairment, or
(iii) is regarded as having such an impairment.
Program placement is dependent on Least Restrictive Environment. This means that students are not to be segregated from the general education students unless absolutely necessary.
- General Education
- Inclusion
- Resource
- Special Day
- Non-public school
- Related Services = Designated Instructional Services (DIS) are available when they are necessary for the pupil to benefit educationally from his or her instructional program.
IEP
Individualized Education Program. The IEP is a written statement for a student with a disability that is developed, at least annually, by a team of professionals knowledgeable about the student and the parent. The plan describes the strengths of the child and the concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child, and when, where, and how often services will be provided. The IEP is required by federal law for all exceptional children and must include specific information about how the student will be served and what goals he or she should be meeting.