The significance of educating all children has become even more important to Americans. In order to ensure that every child, including children with special education needs across the country receives access to the education that they need to make meaningful progress, the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) was created.
The Individuals with Disabilities Act was originally passed into law by President Gerald Ford in 1975, to ensure that children with disabilities are receiving the services they need to thrive. Originally known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, the program is specifically focused on providing early intervention for children with special needs.
IDEA was implemented after creating two main goals. The first goal is to provide a free appropriate public education to children with disabilities. This goal ensures that children with disabilities are able to utilize the necessary services in order to get an education that helps them thrive.
The second main goal of IDEA is to ensure that the parents or legal guardians are given a voice in determining the right path for their child’s education. Parents who have a child with a disability should be involved in determining the appropriate approach for him to thrive in the classroom.
An important part that parents should be aware of includes the services that fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Act. Before entering a special education program, children must first qualify for special education services under the IDEA. The Act currently lists 13 qualifiable disabilities which include autism, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities, and physical impairments. Once the child has been evaluated and approved, the process can move forward to determining the best program.
As parents, it is important to remember to be your child’s advocate, and speak up on his behalf to ensure they he is receiving the best resources possible to thrive in his education. To learn more about the process of applying for special education services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, visit Spencer Walsh Law at SpencerWalshLaw.com.
