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The Americans with Disabilities Act - The ADA and Students with Disabilities

By Ann Logsdon, About.com

Definition: The Americans with Disabilities Act refers to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its amendments. In general, the ADA requires that all programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance or benefits must not discriminate against "qualified" people with disabilities on the basis of their disabilities.

Qualified people include individuals with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities such as self-care, walking seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

Students with learning disabilities and other disabilities have rights under the IDEA and Section 504 of the ADA.

Also Known As: Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Examples: The ADA requires public schools to ensure that programs and facilities are accessible to students with disabilities.

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