What legislation protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in education?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a key piece of legislation that guarantees the right to a free appropriate public education for all children with disabilities. It ensures that children with disabilities have access to the same educational opportunities as their peers and requires schools to create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) tailored to meet their unique needs.

While Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is indeed a significant law that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities, particularly in preventing discrimination in any program receiving federal funds, it is important to understand that IDEA is specifically focused on the provision of special education services.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also plays a crucial role in protecting individuals with disabilities in various settings, including education, but it is broader in scope, addressing discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and more, rather than specifically targeting educational services.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) relates to the privacy of student education records, ensuring that parents and eligible students have the right to access and control their education records, but it does not address the rights of individuals with disabilities in terms of educational access and services.

Thus, while Section 504 and other laws offer important protections and can overlap in function, the Individuals with