Activate your background

What are important laws and policies to know about related to accessibility?
Why is it essential to understand these laws that work to ensure equal access to opportunities?

Build background: Learn about accessibility laws and policies

Review the legal definition of accessibility from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights:

In this video from the ADA, you will learn about how accessibility-related laws protect people with disabilities from discrimination and ensure equal access to opportunities and full participation in society.

Watch: Disability: Three Points About the Law (length 5:58)

Download the transcript (doc) | Access this video on YouTube

Takeaways

Laws ensure protection from discrimination. Without these laws, people with disabilities may be denied basic rights and access to things like education, employment, and public accommodations.
Laws help advance rights. Laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) have been instrumental in advancing the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities, and continue to be vital tools for promoting equality and inclusion in education and employment.

Deeper insights into accessibility laws & policies

Choose from this list of resources that showcase student and practitioner voices that can help build understanding of accessibility laws and policies.

Websites

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Learn how individuals with disabilities have equal access to information and communications technology (ICT), and thereby to government employment, programs, and services to which all citizens are entitled.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The U.S. Department of Education describes a crucial component of a civil rights law aimed at preventing discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Learn about this federal law governing the rights of children with disabilities to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in what is termed a least restrictive environment (LRE). To learn about the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS), a provision of IDEA 2004, visit NIMAS in IDEA on the AEM Center website.

Statute and Regulations
Learn about the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the current reauthorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act. In particular, visit the CAST website to learn about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in ESSA.

Research Brief

Americans with Disabilities Act
From the ADA Network, learn how this civil rights law addresses discrimination based on disability.

Reflect on new insights

Choose a disability law or policy from the Deeper Insights section, such as IDEA or Section 504. Compose an email or other communication to one of your colleagues. Let them know about this law, its requirements related to accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and why it is important for them to know about it.

Here is an example with placeholder text to start. You can add to these ideas as you learn more.

You:
“Hey, Did you know this [insert name of law] existed? This law states [insert specific text from the law]. We need to know about this for [add learner context] because [insert learner-centered connection to the law]. To help, here is a resource to check out: [insert resource title and link].”

Colleague:
“Thank you! I had heard about this law but really didn't understand how it applied to my students. I'm so glad you brought it to my attention as a way to make learning more accessible for this learner. We should also share this information with the IEP team.”

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