IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act) is an education law act that requires public schools to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students with disabilities who qualify in one of the specific categories detailed in the law. IDEA requires schools to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) based on the student’s demonstrated need. Normally, student needs are determined based on evaluations and IEP team discussions. IDEA services are individualized and may include specialized instruction, therapies, and services that are not provided to other students. In contrast, IDEA regulations define disability as one of 13 specific diagnoses (outlined below.) In some cases, IDEA details the exact assessment criteria for inclusion in a category. In other cases, states can specify their own criteria, but this must also be approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Section 504 requires that a person’s mental or physical disabilities limit at least one life activity. These include:
WalkingSeeingHearingSpeakingBreathingLearningWorkingAbility to participate in self caresAbility to perform manual tasks
IDEA, in contrast, a child must have one of the following diagnoses:
Autism Hearing impairments Deafness Deaf-blindness Intellectual disability Multiple disabilities Orthopedic impairments Other health impairments Serious emotional disturbance Specific learning disabilities Speech or language impairments Traumatic brain injury Visual impairment
You can learn more about special education eligibility classifications by state. The IDEA requires much more districts regarding parent notice and consent. Parents are to be notified of and invited to any meetings concerning their children. They also have the right to consent or decline evaluation and services. Parents are very important to the process. Section 504 evaluations are designed by the committee working with the child and are limited to the specific questions they need to address. They may be as basic as an achievement assessment, a review of student work and a physician’s diagnosis. A meeting is not required before a change in placement.
