Mental Retardation

Legislation passed in 1990 provided a clear path for the elimination of discrimination against people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects persons with disabilities from discrimination in employment, government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. The effectiveness of ADA lies with the advocates of this legislation. Demanding the compliance of every agency involved in the process is the advocate's responsibility. As each year passes, there will likely be fewer barriers for persons with disabilities.

Additional legislation includes IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). IDEA states that every child, regardless of disability, will be provided a "free appropriate public education" in the "least restrictive environment to the maximum extent appropriate." Thus, children with disabilities are entitled to an education at public expense, with the added stipulation that the children be in the most contact possible with their nondisabled peers. This legislation was built on the existing public law 94-142 (PL 94-142), which ensures a child with a disability an individualized education plan (IEP). An IEP includes services the child requires, such as speech therapy and occupational therapy, as well as the child's goals and benchmarks to meet the goals.

PL 94-142 services begin from the child's third birthday. Before that, public law 99-457 (PL 99-457) serves children from birth through age two. Under these laws, states receive grants to provide services to children with disabilities. PL 99-457 requires an individualized family service plan (IFSP), which is similar to an IEP, except that instead of being child centered, it is family centered. Families with children who are disabled often require extra support and training. Included in the IFSP are teaching strategies for the parents as well as educating the siblings in how to interact with and understand their sibling with a disability.