The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including schools. In the realm of special education, the ADA works in conjunction with other laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities. While IDEA focuses on providing specialized instruction, the ADA ensures that schools are accessible and that students with disabilities are not discriminated against in any aspect of school life. This includes access to facilities, extracurricular activities, and technology. Therefore understanding Americans with Disabilities Act support in special education is important for all educational providers.
As the parent of a child with special needs, you have certain rights that you may not be aware of. It is important to know what these rights are and to use them to advocate for your child.