| Special education refers to the education of children | | | | 1997, which preserves the civil rights guarantees of |
| with physical disorders or disabilities, psychiatric | | | | IDEA 1997, but makes substantial changes regarding |
| disorders, emotional distress, behavioral disorders, and | | | | how schools determine whether a child has learning |
| learning disorders. Traditional educational techniques or | | | | disability and needs special education services. |
| school programs do not sufficiently meet the | | | | Services to very young children, i.e., infants and |
| requirements of these children. Children with special | | | | toddlers, are also covered under the IDEA. Section |
| education needs are guaranteed rights to services in | | | | 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights |
| schools under federal and state laws. These laws | | | | legislative act, which proscribes discrimination against |
| include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section | | | | children with disabilities and provides them with |
| 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, Individuals with | | | | reasonable accommodations. Under section 504, any |
| Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004), | | | | person who has an impairment that substantially limits |
| Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 (IDEA | | | | a major life activity is considered disabled. |
| 1997), and No Child Left Behind (NCLB). These laws | | | | The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) commands |
| guarantee special education programs and financial | | | | all educational institutions to meet the needs of children |
| assistance for disabled children and youth in the United | | | | with psychiatric problems. In the United States, |
| States. | | | | procedures for the implementation of the Federal laws |
| The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of | | | | and procedural safeguards are different in different |
| 1997 is a federal law that governs all special education | | | | states and therefore parents should have a good |
| services for children in the United States. The major | | | | knowledge of the rules and regulations in their particular |
| objective of IDEA is to provide free and appropriate | | | | area. For any assistance, parents can always contact |
| public education in the least restrictive environment. | | | | the regional office of the U.S. Department of Education |
| The IDEA 2004 is a revision or reauthorization of IDEA | | | | Office for Civil Rights. |