Schools and Society

Government Provided Rights to Individuals with Disabilities

Over the years the Government has provided numerous rights to individuals with disabilities. These rights only came about from the combined efforts of parents and professionals. These years have brought about many improvements.

Public Law (PL) 94-142 is the starting point of legislation for special education. PL 94-142 consists of six major components. These components are FAPE (free appropriate public education), LRE (least restrictive environment), IEP (individualized education program), procedural due process, nondiscriminatory assessment and parental participation. (FAPE), A free appropriate public education states that regardless of severity of disabilities, a child must be provided with an education in line with their disability with no cost. Other services can also be included in this education if needed. (LRE), The least restrictive environment states that children with disabilities must be educated to the greatest extent possible with students who have no disabilities. The environment must be in line with the student’s needs. (IEP), An individualized education program is a plan written by professionals and parents for the student with disabilities. The IEP must state the present level of education, yearly goals and objectives for the year, educational services, to what extent the