IDEA, IEP, and 504 - Oh My!
Hello there! Welcome back to "The Speechie Godmother," your friendly neighborhood advocacy blog! Today, I want to talk about something that is very important when navigating special needs in the school system. It is also something that can seem daunting to many a parent, student, or even professional: Disability law and individualized student plans. Now, before you scream, hear me out: this may seem scary and complicated, but it doesn't have to be. Bear with me as I break a few things down for you. For ease of reference, this will be broken down into 4 distinct sections: A history and breakdown of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) 504 Plans Links to video and informational resources Okay, so now that we've got that out of the way... let's dive in. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act A Little History In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act into l