Thinking about how far I’ve come professionally, it would be wrong not to talk about how the IDEA has helped me achieve my goals. The IDEA or Individuals with Disabilities Act is a very helpful tool for students with disabilities.
Each law related to people with disabilities is intended to give them a better opportunity to achieve their goals in life. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is no different. Before it was enacted into law in 1975, its original name was the Education for all Handicapped Children Act. This law helps students with disabilities get the education and supports they need. It helps them receive accommodations to go to school in an integrated environment with other children.
Socialization is an important part of going to school and growing up. Being included and integrated with other kids has many benefits for everyone involved. It gives students with disabilities the opportunity to get the full school experience. It allows kids without disabilities to be exposed to another person’s perspective. This interaction gives them valuable experiences at an early age. It will also influence their behavior as they get older.
While I always did well in school, I remember some things about the experience that have always stuck with me. Being mainstreamed in the 3rd grade, I had to explain my disability to other kids. Most of them were very curious to find out why I had to use a wheelchair to get around. This doesn’t mean all my school experiences were positive ones. Being exposed to students who had different reactions to my disability allowed me to be better prepared for how people might react to my disability as an adult. In my opinion, I have been able to take this point of view and use it to try and inform others about the abilities a person with disability possess. It’s been a good teacher on how to get that conversation started with people in the first place.
If it had not been for the accommodations that were given to me in my Individual Education Plan (IEP), I think school would’ve been a lot more difficult. It’s not because I didn’t know the work, but because of the limitations I had to overcome just to get the work done. Of course, I had transportation that allowed me to get to school. I have to say getting therapy in school helped me keep a regular school schedule and I didn’t have to miss any extra time to get to and from appointments. Because of the educational supports I received, college and beyond were a possibility for me. I was not only able to complete, but excelled in my studies.
Parents and students should stay up to date on what’s going on with their student’s education and related services. As part of the IEP team, they should maximize the delivery of services needed and keep up with their advocacy skills. This is an effective strategy to hold team members accountable when things aren’t going according to what is agreed upon during each meeting.
I know students with disabilities are having difficulty right now because of the pandemic. Parents and their students should be patient with themselves. Continue to sharpen and maintain their advocacy skills. This will help preserve their rights and maintain services they need now and beyond. Connecting with local advocacy and special education groups that offer webinars and other resources can also be beneficial. This will help you learn about techniques and other methods available to maximize desired educational outcomes. Advocacy groups can help if you need to find someone to go to a meeting with you or advocate on your student’s behalf. Using these tools successfully will allow a path for your student’s educational and life goals to be achieved in the future.