Federal Protections For Students With Disabilities: What Parents Need to Know

Public schools and many private schools—from preschool through post-secondary education—must provide students with disabilities equal educational opportunities and learning supports tailored to their individual needs. Three primary federal laws—the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—work together to achieve this goal. These statutes overlap but differ in scope and focus. 

This primer briefly explains each law, the responsibilities of schools, the rights of parents, and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that federal funding recipients maintain their obligations under federal law.