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A good summary of the major Federal laws that affect persons with disabilities can be found in Chapter 5 Current Laws and Legislation, in the book by the Alliance for Technology Access, Computer and Web Resources for People with Disabilities.
This webpage from the U.S. Dept. of Justice contains overview of 11 federal laws and information about the federal agencies to contact for more information.
This is from Support for Families, and contains a section called “Laws Affecting Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs/Disabilities” is especially well put together, with links to both Federal and California laws.
Historically known as The Education for all Handicapped Children Act of
1975 (EHCA) and Public Law 94-142, the IDEA
was passed in 1975 and has been amended several times.
• This law requires public schools to make available to all eligible children with disabilities, ages 3 to 21 years, a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. IDEA requires public school systems to develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEP's) for each child to meet his/her individual needs.
• In the 1997 amendments to the IDEA (IDEA'97). [PL 105-17], the role of parents and reliance on assistive technology was increased.
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement
Act of 2004 (IDEA) was signed into law by President Bush in December
2004. The 2004 Act improves upon the 1997 act and aligns IDEA closely
to the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), helping to ensure equity, accountability
and excellence in education for children with disabilities.
While regulations implementing the IDEA 2004 are being prepared, the regulations
implementing the 1997 law remain in effect.
• A summary of major changes can be found at:
http://www.ed.utah.edu/~huefner/sped-law/IDEA-04.htm
• NICHCY has a list of selected materials reviewed by the U.S.
Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) for
consistency with the IDEA 2004.
http://www.nichcy.org/idealist.htm
The NCLBA was signed into law only recently by President Bush in January 2002.
Although the NCLBA has many important impacts on the lives of children with disabilities, as of August 2004, many are still unclear about it’s interpretation.
This document identifies those areas of the NCLBA that have implications for implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• See http://www.nichcy.org/resources/nclb.asp for a list of resources on NCLB itself, and on its impact on children with special needs (scroll down to the section “NCLB and Children with Special Needs”).
• Other resources on NCLB and children with special needs:
http://www.educationnews.org/children-with-disabilities-under.htm
http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=747
The "Tech Act" provided federal funds to states to develop training and delivery systems for assistive technology devices and services. It required states and territories to develop statewide, consumer-responsive programs of technology-related services for individuals with disabilities of all ages. This act first defined Assistive Technology Devices and Services and promoted the availability and quality of AT devices and services to all individuals, including children.
The 1998 Tech Act amendment extended the funding to develop permanent, comprehensive, statewide programs of technology-related assistance. The law affirms that technology is a valuable tool that can be used to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities.
Reauthorizes and revises the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 to make assistive technology (AT) grants to States to maintain comprehensive statewide programs designed to: (1) maximize the ability of individuals with disabilities, and their family members to obtain AT; and (2) increase access to AT.
Prohibits AT grant funds from being used as direct payment for an AT device for an individual with a disability.
Provide funds to establish and maintain a National Public Internet Site to provide individuals with disabilities and the general public with technical assistance and information on increased access to AT devices, AT services, and other disability-related resources.
Note: The IDEA 2004 has various provisions to support the increased use of assistive technology.
This 1990 law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and activities of state and local government.
Signed by President Clinton in 1998, this law was designed to increase public awareness regarding developmentally disabled victims of crime, to collect data which measures the magnitude of the problem, and develop strategies to address the safety and justice needs particular to people with disabilities.
This site has much information on of developmental disorders including a section on California Laws and Regulations.
The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act of 1969 (“Lanterman Act”) gave people with developmental disabilities in California the right to services and supports that will allow them to live a more independent and normal life. These services and supports must meet both the needs and the choices of each person individually.
In 2001, there were changes made to the Lanterman Act (http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/506301Insert.htm). A 52 page booklet, A Consumer's Guide to the Lanterman Act, can be downloaded from the California Dept. of Developmental Services site mentioned above.
The Advocacy section of this site contains information on Assistive Technology Act of 1998, upcoming AT Network Legislative agenda, Legislative Support Letters, Federal Legislative Information, and more.
The AT Network was developed by The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers under contract with the California Assistive Technology System (CATS).
Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI) is a nonprofit agency that advances the human and legal rights of persons with disabilities. PAI provides advocacy services for people with disabilities.
In the Publications section, PAI lists its publications by language. There are about 40 articles that have been translated into Chinese. Some are free and can be downloaded. Others can be ordered for a small fee.
Instructions to Doctors Re: Completing the N-648 Medical Certification for INS Disability Waivers for Applicants Seeking Naturalization: (http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/525101.htm).