Introduction

Prior to the 1970s, individuals with disabilities extensively were denied access to and the opportunities of public entities including educational institutions and libraries. The passing of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) introduced sweeping changes related to making public services accessible including the right to a free and appropriate public education for K-12 students.

In this module we will introduce you to the U.S. federal laws that provide relevant guidance to librarians and educators and others regarding their roles in delivering instruction and assistance to people with disabilities. These laws include: (1) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), (2) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, (3) Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and (4) the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Areas of responsibility for librarians include: (1) creating an accessible environment, (2) providing individualized and beneficial learning opportunities, (3) ensuring effective communication and the equal opportunity to benefit from school programs and services, and (4) facilitating the use of and access to information technology.

Learning Objectives

The overall learning objectives for this module are:

· Develop basic understanding of how federal disability laws impact libraries and educational institutions

· Recognize compliance challenges and successes in educational environments

· Identify best practices and available resources

· Understand the elements of an IEP and the process for IEP development