Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document which stipulates the learning needs of a child, the services to be provided by the school and the measurement of progress (Stanberry, n.d).Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a section of American educational legislation which is in four parts that stipulate how students who have a disability receive appropriate public education for free and the education is tailored to depending on their specific needs (Lee, n.d). Section 504 is a part of the rehabilitation act of 1973, and it protects individuals with a disability from discrimination (Durheim, 2016). Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that protects people with disabilities against discrimination in places of work, transportation, communications, government activities, and public accommodation. It ensures disabled persons have the same opportunities and rights as everybody else (National network, 2015).
All these are legislations that address the issue of the disabled person in the society, and they offer different levels of protection at the various levels of life of a disabled person. They are all specific in what ways they protect individuals with disabilities and provide equal opportunities to them in different areas. For eligibility differs in all the programs and laws. In IEP for a child to be eligible the child has to have one of the 13 specific disabilities which are listed in the IDEA but also if a child has learning and attention problems may qualify (Stanberry, n.d). In section 504 a child qualifies if he or she has any disability and it interferes with the child’s ability to learn. In IDEA it covers students who have educational disabilities and require special education from the ages of 3 years to 21 years or until when the child graduates. For ADA it includes all people with disabilities from discrimination in an educational setting, and it is based on the disability only (Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, n.d). In the services to be provided by the acts also differs from act to act. In IDEA educational services are offered which are helpful and in addition to what is provided to regular students. Section 504 removes barriers that can prevent a student from participating fully in school programs or services. ADA also serves to eliminate any obstacles that may be present that prevent a student from full participation in services or programs that are offered all the school population (Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, n.d). An IEP provides special education which is individualized to a child’s schooling needs unlike the others (The understood team, n.d).
Funding for the implementation of the services also differs in the different acts. In ADA there is no funding, but tax credits which are limited can be available for removing barriers which are transformational or architectural in nature. Grant funds are also offered in support of training and technical assistance to both public and private institutions. In IDEA there is funding aimed at assisting states and educational agencies which are local to meet IDEA requirement to persons who qualify. IDEA funds may not be redirected to serve individuals in another category. In Section 504 there is no funding, and the local and state jurisdictions have the responsibility (Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, n.d). In IEP there is also funding, and states receive funding for the students who are found to be eligible (The understood team, n.d).
Definitions in the laws for the different acts also differs. In IDEA there is the definition of specific disabilities and not all disabled children qualify. In Section 504 it also defines a person with a disability as a person with a mental or physical impairment, and it limits the person from performing out daily activities. In ADA the definition of an individual with a disability is similar to the one in section 504, but it there is an extension to people without disability such as communicable and non-communicable diseases plus a person's HIV status (Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, n.d). In IEP disabilities which are eligible are clearly defined, and they are specific (Stanberry, n.d).
References
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. (n.d). A comparison of ADA, IDEA and Section 504.DREDF. Retrieved from https://dredf.org/advocacy/comparison.html
Durheim M. (2016). A Parent’s Guide to Section 504 in Public Schools. Great schools. Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/section-504-2/.
Lee AM. (n.d) How IDEA Protects You and Your Child. Understood. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/how-idea-protects-you-and-your-child
National Network. (2015).An Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Retrieved from https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-overview.
Stanberry K. (n.d). Understanding Individualized Education Programs. Understood. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/ieps/understanding-individualized-education-programs.
The understood team. (n.d).The Differences Between IEPs and 504 Plans. Understood. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/504-plan/the-difference-between-ieps-and-504-plans.
