The Education of Children and Youth with Special Needs: What Do the Laws Say?

Overview & Synopsis

This newsletter issue focuses on the educational and civil rights of children and youth with disabilities, through the age of 21. The primary focus is on the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), its subsequent amendments (Public Law 98-199 and Public Law 99-457). In October, 1990, this law was amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Public Law 101-476). Additional federal laws, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-112) and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act (Public Law 98-524), are described to explain the full range of potential services and rights available. The paper emphasizes that most laws providing for public education are generally state and local laws rather than federal laws. An annotated list of 17 key federal statutes affecting the education and civil rights of children and youth with disabilities is presented. A 19-item bibliography and a list of 18 clearinghouses, information centers, and government agencies are provided. Also supplied are descriptions of programs for Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Persons with Mental Illness and a map showing locations of federally funded Parent Training and Information projects of the Technical Assistance for Parent Programs Network. (Includes 23 references.) (JDD)