Legal Definitions - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that ensures children with physical or mental disabilities receive a free public education that meets their unique needs. This law governs the public education of children with disabilities and aims to provide them with the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers.

The Education of All Handicapped Children Act was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1990 and was amended in 1997. All states in the United States participate in this joint federal-state initiative.

For example, if a child has a learning disability, the school must provide them with special education services to help them learn in a way that works for them. This could include extra time on tests, a different way of teaching, or assistive technology like a computer program that reads text aloud.

Another example is if a child has a physical disability that makes it difficult for them to move around the school, the school must provide accommodations like wheelchair ramps or an elevator to ensure they can access all areas of the school.

These examples illustrate how IDEA ensures that children with disabilities receive the support they need to succeed in school and in life.