Differences Between ADA and IDEA

ADA vs IDEA

To have order and decency, laws are created. The first law ever written is the 10 Commandments. The Creator deemed laws to be necessary to avoid chaos and conflicts among His people. If the laws are not followed, the equivalent punishment will be executed upon the lawbreaker. In our world today, more and more laws and acts are created to protect human rights which include the humans’ right to liberty and property. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) are laws made by the government to protect the rights of those persons with disabilities. This article will tackle the difference between the ADA and IDEA.

The Americans with Disabilities Act became effective in the year 1990 enacted by the U.S. Congress and signed by President George H. W. Bush. The ADA is a civil rights law which aims to build a comprehensive prohibition against discrimination to people with disabilities. A “disability” is an impairment of a person, be it physical or mental which greatly affects the person’s major activities in life. However, a certain condition will only be considered a disability under a case-by-case basis. Visual impairment which can be corrected by using the right prescription of lenses will not be considered a disability. It is the same as the so-called disabilities which resulted from the irresponsible use of substances. The ADA protects the rights of people with disabilities to be employed as long as they are qualified and have undergone the job application procedures. This act also covers the rights of Americans with disabilities to have the right to public transportation, public accommodations, telecommunications, and other special provisions.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act also became effective in the year 1990 enacted by the U.S. Congress and signed by President George H. W. Bush. The IDEA is a United States federal law which aims to provide early intervention and special education among those children who have disabilities. It also provides other related services that might be beneficial to disabled children. This law covers the educational needs of these children from the time they are born until they reach the age of 18 or even 21. Several amendments are made to provide the children with disabilities a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). FAPE is a plan especially made for them to help them prepare for advanced education, opportunities for employment, and having a good and independent living.

These two acts mainly cover the rights of the adult and the rights of the children with disabilities. Discrimination became an issue ever since. The U.S. Congress aims to help lessen discrimination among people starting first with the people with disabilities.

Summary:

  1. Laws and acts are created to protect the rights of  people and to provide order and decency.

  2. The first law ever created was the 10 Commandments to prevent chaos and conflicts during the ancient eras.

  3. “ADA” stands for “Americans with Disabilities Act” while “IDEA” stands for “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.”

  4. Both acts became effective in the year 1990 enacted by the U.S. Congress and signed by President George H. W. Bush.

  5. The ADA aims to protect the rights of adults with disabilities. Under this act, it ensures the adults with disabilities can be employed, have the right to transportation, public accommodations, telecommunications, and other provisions.

  6. IDEA aims to protect the rights of children with disabilities. Under this act, it ensures that children with disabilities have a free, public education, to prepare them for their advanced education, to have chances of being employed in the future, and other special provisions.