IDEA: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act evolved from the Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA) of 1970 (Smith, 2016). This was the first law to focus only on the education of students with disabilities. This law provided funding to colleges and universities to develop programs to train teachers in special education. In 1974, the law was amended. States the received federal funding were required to create a goal of providing full educational opportunities for students with disabilities. This act was reauthorized many times. In 1990, the name was changed to IDEA. The purpose of this law is to ensure that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate education (FAPE), are educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE), have an individualized education plan (IEP), receive nondiscriminatory assessment, and are have due process rights for students and parents.
Section 504: In 1973, Section 504 was passed as part of the Rehabilitation Act (Smith, 2016). This was the first legislation that defined excluding or segregating individuals based on their disability as discrimination. This legislation applies to all entities that receive federal funding. The focus of Section 504 is the right of students to access educational services and to benefit equally from those services. The definition of disability is much broader under Section 504 than under IDEA. Therefore, students that do not qualify for services under IDEA, may be eligible under Section 504.
ADA: The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990 and reauthorized in 2008 (Smith, 2016). This law applies to nearly all entities, without regard to federal funding. This law prevents discrimination in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local governments, and telecommunications and relay services.
Section 504: In 1973, Section 504 was passed as part of the Rehabilitation Act (Smith, 2016). This was the first legislation that defined excluding or segregating individuals based on their disability as discrimination. This legislation applies to all entities that receive federal funding. The focus of Section 504 is the right of students to access educational services and to benefit equally from those services. The definition of disability is much broader under Section 504 than under IDEA. Therefore, students that do not qualify for services under IDEA, may be eligible under Section 504.
ADA: The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990 and reauthorized in 2008 (Smith, 2016). This law applies to nearly all entities, without regard to federal funding. This law prevents discrimination in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local governments, and telecommunications and relay services.