APE POLICY & LEGISLATION
This page includes information about laws that effect the education of children with disabilities. The information can be used to be aware of the laws, share them with families, caregivers, and other educators, and to advocate for adapted physical education.
IDEA- Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
This federal law was originally passed in 1990, and was updated in 1997 and 2004. It was a reauthorization of PL 94-142, which was passed in 1975. PL 94-142, also known as The Education for All Handicapped Children Act provided that all children, regardless of disability, have a right to a free and appropriate education. This included education in a least-restrictive environment, and the only curricular area which was required to be taught under PL 94-142 was physical education.
In 1986, PL 94-142 was expanded to include children in preschool, and it provided money for early intervention services and support to the families of young children with disabilities. In 1990 these laws became IDEA, which expanded the categories of disabilities that are protected. These categories of disabilities include:
-Deaf-blind
-Deaf
-Hearing Impaired
-Visually Impaired
-Cognitive Disabilities
-Multiple Disabilities
-Orthopedically Impaired
-Seriously Emotionally Disturbed
-Specific Learning Disabilities
-Speech and Language Impairment
-Other Health Impaired
This law means that all children with these disabilities have a right to a free and appropriate education which is taught in the least restrictive environment and includes physical education.
In 1986, PL 94-142 was expanded to include children in preschool, and it provided money for early intervention services and support to the families of young children with disabilities. In 1990 these laws became IDEA, which expanded the categories of disabilities that are protected. These categories of disabilities include:
-Deaf-blind
-Deaf
-Hearing Impaired
-Visually Impaired
-Cognitive Disabilities
-Multiple Disabilities
-Orthopedically Impaired
-Seriously Emotionally Disturbed
-Specific Learning Disabilities
-Speech and Language Impairment
-Other Health Impaired
This law means that all children with these disabilities have a right to a free and appropriate education which is taught in the least restrictive environment and includes physical education.