Differences between the rights and requirements of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Americans with Disabilties Act (ADA)

In my previous blog, I discussed the the reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in college. Today, I will examine differences between the rights and requirements of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Americans with Disabilties Act (ADA). Watch this video for more information on ADA and the impact on the citizens of the Unites States of America.

Receiving service under ADA is a completely different from IDEA. Parents roles are greatly reduced while the student has a greater responsibility in receiving the appropriate accommodations. Colleges are required to make minor academic adjustments but are not required to make substantial modifications to their curricula or course requirements (Dell, Newton, Petroff, 2012). For example, students under IDEA in P-12 may receive extended time on test, distraction free environment, and modifications to the exam content under ADA colleges are not required to modify the content of the exam. the chart below will display the difference between IDEA and ADA.

	IDEA (K-12)	ADA (College)
Rights guaranteed by the law	Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)	Prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability
Who is covered	Every child; concept of zero reject	Students who are :otherwise qualified”
Identification and evaluation of students with disabilities	District responsible for identifying students with disabilities, evaluating them, and covering cost.	Students must self-identify and provide appropriate documentation. If an evaluation is needed, the expense is the student’s responsibility.
Determining services	IEP developed by a team Curriculum modification and special programs are common	Reasonable accommodations, including auxiliary and services, must be requested by student. -Academic adjustments that equalize opportunity for participation are required; substantial modifications to curriculum and lowering standards are not required
Personal devices and services (wheelchairs, hearing aids, personal care attendants)	Provided by district if determined to be necessary (included in IEP)	Colleges are not required to provide these
Role of parents	Parent must be included in decision making	College student are older than 18 and are considered adults. No parent consultation is required
Appeals process	Right to due process as spelled out in the law	College grievances procedure and then a complaint with the US Department of Education’s Office of Civil Right must be filled.

From reading the material, it seems the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities is extremely difficult. All the rules change and the must prepare themselves to fight for their education and needs. In a way, I think it is important to have the student take control of their life and allow for self management. It is the beginning of their adult life and prepares them for the real world. Parents will still support their child but just like nay college students they have to start to take responsibility for their own life.

This is my last blog for my Assistive Technology class. I hope you have learned as much information about assistive technology as I have. I am sure there is more to learn and will continue to read and grow as I gain experience with assistive technology. Thanks for learning with me!

  Reference: 

Dell, A.G., Newton, D.A, & Petroff, J.G. (2012). Assistive Technology in the Classroom. Boston: PEARSON.