Week 1 Research Paper Individuals With Disabilities Act ✓ Solved
Write a two page paper on IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Detail its history and how it became important legislature. Discuss the following: What is an example of IDEA, Who qualifies, and What are the 13 disabilities of IDEA? Go into detail about these issues.
Paper For Above Instructions
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a vital piece of legislation in the United States that governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to children with disabilities. This law was first enacted in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and has undergone several amendments and reauthorizations to enhance its provisions. As of 2023, IDEA continues to have a profound impact on the educational landscape for students with disabilities and advocates for their rights.
History of IDEA
IDEA emerged from a growing recognition of the need to provide equitable educational opportunities to children with disabilities. Prior to its enactment, many children with disabilities were excluded from public schools or did not receive adequate services. The landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954) laid the groundwork for challenging segregation in education, leading to further advocacy for inclusive education. In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed Public Law 94-142 into law, which was aimed at ensuring children with disabilities received appropriate public education.
Over the years, the act underwent several revisions. In 1990, it was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, emphasizing the rights of individuals with disabilities. Amendments in 1997 and 2004 further expanded the scope of services provided under the law and added new requirements for schools, such as increasing parental involvement and ensuring that students are educated in the least restrictive environment possible.
Importance of IDEA
IDEA is significant because it establishes the foundation for special education services in the United States. The act mandates that eligible children with disabilities are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that meets their individual needs. This requirement compels schools to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) tailored to each child's unique strengths and challenges, thereby promoting educational equity.
An example of IDEA in action is the provision of specialized services, such as speech therapy for a child with a speech impairment. Under IDEA, schools must identify such needs and provide the necessary supports to help the child achieve their educational goals. This could include not only therapy services but also assistive technology, modifications to classroom environments, and individualized instruction.
Eligibility Under IDEA
To qualify for services under IDEA, a child must meet specific criteria that include having one of the designated disabilities and requiring special education services due to that disability. The disabilities listed in IDEA include:
- Autism
- Deafness
- Deaf-blindness
- Emotional disturbance
- Hearing impairment
- Intellectual disability
- Multiple disabilities
- Orthopedic impairment
- Other health impairment
- Specific learning disability
- Speech or language impairment
- Traumatic brain injury
- Visual impairment including blindness
Detailed Overview of the 13 Disabilities
1. Autism: This developmental disorder affects communication, social skills, and behavior. Each child with autism presents different challenges, necessitating tailored interventions.
2. Deafness: A complete or nearly complete lack of hearing impacts the ability to communicate and interact, often requiring the use of sign language or other forms of communication.
3. Deaf-blindness: A combination of hearing and visual impairments can create significant challenges in communication and mobility for the affected child.
4. Emotional disturbance: This classification includes conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, and behavioral disorders that adversely affect educational performance.
5. Hearing impairment: Unlike deafness, this term encompasses partial hearing loss, which may affect how students receive auditory information in a traditional classroom setting.
6. Intellectual disability: Previously termed mental retardation, this refers to a significantly below-average IQ and difficulties in adaptive functioning.
7. Multiple disabilities: This category refers to individuals who possess more than one disability, leading to complex educational needs.
8. Orthopedic impairment: This includes physical disabilities which can affect mobility and may require modifications in learning environments.
9. Other health impairment: Various health issues such as ADHD and chronic illnesses fall under this classification, affecting a student's ability to learn.
10. Specific learning disability: This broad category encompasses various learning disorders (e.g., dyslexia) affecting reading, writing, or math skills.
11. Speech or language impairment: This category includes communication issues affecting a child's ability to express or understand language.
12. Traumatic brain injury: An acquired injury resulting from external force can lead to cognitive, physical, and emotional challenges.
13. Visual impairment including blindness: This refers to significant visual limitations that impact educational performance and the need for specialized instructional materials.
Conclusion
In conclusion, IDEA has fundamentally transformed the way educational institutions accommodate and support students with disabilities. Its history reflects the evolving understanding of educational rights and the importance of inclusivity. The act's provisions for individualized education and support services underscore its significance in empowering children with disabilities to achieve their full potential in an educational setting. Ongoing advocacy is necessary to ensure that IDEA continues to meet the needs of all students, adapting to new challenges and advancements in education.
References
- U.S. Department of Education. (2020). A history of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
- Friend, M., & Bursuck, W. D. (2018). Including Students with Special Needs: A Practical Guide for Classroom Teachers. Pearson.
- Turnbull, H. R., Turnbull, A. P., Wehmeyer, M. L., & Shogren, K. A. (2015). Exceptional Lives: Special Education in Today's Schools. Pearson.
- Yell, M. L. (2016). The Law and Special Education. Pearson.
- McLeskey, J., & Waldron, N. L. (2015). Inclusion as a Way of Life: A Review of Research on the Effectiveness of Inclusive Practices in Special Education.
- IDEA. (2004). Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act.
- National Center for Learning Disabilities. (2019). Specific Learning Disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2021). Speech and Language Impairments.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
- Smith, S. J. (2019). Understanding and Supporting Students with Emotional Disturbance.