Final answer:
Students with disabilities, ages 16 and older, are required to have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), tailored to their needs including transition planning. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also prohibits discrimination and requires accommodations in education.
Step-by-step explanation:
For all students with disabilities, ages 16 and older, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is required. This is mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which was initially passed in 1975 and renamed from the Education for All Handicapped Children Act to IDEA in 1990. The IDEA emphasizes the need for special education services and individual educational plans tailored to meet the unique needs of each student with a disability.
These plans focus on improving educational outcomes, transition planning for life after high school, which could include higher education, employment, and independent living. States and school districts must also adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations to be made in various settings, including education. It's important to note that while the ADA provides broad protections and opportunities for people with disabilities, ensuring full access to educational opportunities remains a challenge, with disparities still existing based on race, ethnicity, and geography.