NBDA | Disability Laws: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (formerly called P.L. 94-142 or the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975) requires public schools to make available to all eligible children with disabilities a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual needs.

IDEA requires public school systems to develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each child. The specific special education and related services outlined in each IEP reflect the individual needs of each student.
IDEA also mandates that particular procedures be followed in the development of the IEP. Each student's IEP must be developed by a team of knowledgeable persons and must be reviewed at least annually. The team includes the child's teacher; the parents, subject to certain limited exceptions; the child, if appropriate; an agency representative who is qualified to provide or supervise the provision of special education; and other individuals at the parents' or agency's discretion.

If parents disagree with the proposed IEP, they can request a due process hearing and a review from the state educational agency, if applicable in that state. They also can appeal the state agency's decision to state or federal court. For more information, contact:

Office of Special Education Programs
U.S. Department of Education
330 C Street, SW, Room 3086
Washington, DC 20202
(202) 205-8824 (voice/relay)
www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/index.html

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