Students Rights and Laws Pertaining to Transition and Assistive Technology

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a special education law which requires schools to provide a "Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)" to students with disabilities who meet eligibility criteria. Under this law, schools are obligated to provide transition services to eligible students which will enable them to develop skills necessary for adult life. These services must consider the student's transition needs pertaining to work, independent living, community integration, recreation and transportation.

IDEA and Assistive Technology

IEDA requires that Individual Education Program (IEP) teams consider whether the student requires any assistive technology devices and services.The term assistive technology device means "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a person with a disability." The term "assistive technology service" refers to any service the directly assist a person with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 requires equal access to federally funded programs, such as public school system, by people with disabilities. To be eligible for services under Section 504 you must be a person with a disability which interferes with one or more major life functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, learning, walking seeing, hearing, breathing, speaking, and working. People with a disability who are not eligible for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT (IDEA) may be found eligible for services under Section 504.

Section 504 requires the provision of assistive technology to ensure equal access to programs. A 504 plan can include transition services and technology which will allow a student to participate in course work, career exploration, career/vocational experiences such as on-the-job-training or job shadowing, as well as opportunities to explore community integration and independent living needs. This technology can include assistive listening devices, interpreters, computers for written work, accessible work stations, taped or written materials, and more.

The American's with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA is a nondiscrimination law pertaining to people with disabilities. The ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. It also mandates the establishment of telephone relay services.

For more information on Rights and Laws pertaining to persons with disabilities visit www.disabilityinfo.gov