IDEA and the Vocational Rehabilitation 1997 Presented by Guganesh, Carina, Ridah, Rachel, Maisy & Jenney

Introduction  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was formally known as Education for all Handicapped Children Act.  IDEA and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act Provides: - Appropriate education for all children with disabilities through special education and related services - Employment - Housing - Other rights that those with disabilities were deprived of previously

 Zero reject/free appropriate public education- All children with disabilities were given free appropriate education  Child find- Students with disabilities were tracked down and their educational needs were seen to by the state  Age- The age during which children with disabilities are educated exceeds those of nondisabled children. Special services are provided for students with disabilities of age 3 and 21. Early intervention services are available for infants and toddlers with developmental delays. IDEA Primary Characteristics

 Nondiscrimatory Evaluation – when a child with disability wants to attend public school, he/she must be given an evaluation by a psychiatrist to determine his abilities and the best placement for the child  IEP- Every child with a disability is entitled to an Individual Education Plan that the parents developed together with the school district  Least Restrictive Environment (LEA) – ensures that the child with disability is placed in a setting with the maximum extent possible in a general education class while still receiving education benefits  Due Process – ensures that everyone with a stake in the child’s education is being heard

 Confidentiality of Records – Information on students with disabilities to remain confidential and accessible to parents  Advocacy – Assigned to individuals with disabilities who lack known parents or guardians  Noncompliance – States to mandate consequences for failure to comply with the law  Parent Participation – Participation and shared decision to be included in all aspects of identification and evaluation of students with disabilities

IDEA Act of 1990  Puts the person first and the use of the term “disability” second  Development of individualized transition programmes for students with disabilities by age 16  States and schools can be sued if they violate IDEA  Adds two additional categories: autism and traumatic brain injury  Extends support services to include assistive technology

Outline Changes of IDEA Act, 1997:  Promotes students with disabilities to involve in general education curriculum.  Requires greater accountability for results  Recognizes if student with disabilities bring weapon or illegal drugs, school can move him to alternative educational setting up to 45 days, but he must be allowed to: -participate in the general curriculum -receive services and appropriate modifications -receive help for behavior difficulties  Requires IEP to describe within general education classroom: a. the extent to which a student will be integrated b. detail the aids and accommodations the student will receive

 Allows the use of “developmental delay” eligibility criteria through age 9 instead of one of the specific disability categories to classify students  Further flexibility by allowing IDEA-funded staff to work with others who need their help  To include students with disabilities in assessments with appropriate modification and develop alternative assessment to those students who cannot participate in regular assessments