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Federal Laws That Protect Your Child
Your child has legal rights to services, accommodations, and education — backed by federal law. Understanding these laws early gives you leverage in every meeting and phone call you will have from here on out. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the most important. Part C of IDEA covers early intervention services for children birth through age 2. Part B covers special education and related services for children ages 3 through 21. Under IDEA, your child is entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits disability discrimination in any program receiving federal funds — including public schools. A 504 plan provides accommodations but not the specialized instruction an IEP offers. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) extends civil rights protections to private settings like daycares, restaurants, and employers. Your state has a Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) funded by the U.S. Department of Education. These centers provide free training and advocacy support to families of children with disabilities. Call them. They are staffed by people — many of them parents of children with disabilities — who know your state's systems inside and out. This one phone call can save you months of confusion.
Timelines under IDEA are strict. Schools and agencies count on parents not knowing the law. The sooner you understand your rights, the stronger your position in every conversation.