IDEA vs. ADA

Students with disabilities have certain rights and requirements under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) in the P-12 grades and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) in higher education. However, there are some differences between the two acts and there requirements to be accepted under each law.

IDEA does not apply to higher education students. This simply means students who decide to go onto college do not fall under the legal rights of IDEA. IDEA also has a 100% acceptance rate for all students who are in grades P-12 regardless of their ability. Students under IDEA also have an IEP for teachers to follow.  However, under ADA students who meet the stated qualifications of a college program are protected.

In my teaching profession it is crucial to understand the laws that apply to students that I may encounter within my classroom.  A student with a disability cannot be a factor when being accepted into a college or any type of educational setting because of ADA, which guarantees equal opportunities for all students.

References:

Dell, A; Newton, G and Petroff, J. (2012). Assistive Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experience of Students with Disabilities. Pearson Education.