Laws to Protect Americans with Autism and Other Disabilities

Every American citizen is protected under the constitution, and special laws have been enacted to protect people with autism and other disabilities. These special laws are for the protection of the disabled and to provide better opportunities for everyone.

There are no exceptions, everyone is protected under these laws regardless of disability, gender, ethnicity or race, making the opportunities of life better for everyone. The "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act," (I.D.E.A.) covers all individuals from age three to twenty-one years and provides autistic children with special education programs.

The I.D.E.A. gives parents the right to be involved in educational decisions for their child. Your school district must have the child assessed by a private professional to qualify under the I.D.E.A., for placement in the appropriate school. This law gives the rights for your child to receive a free public education based on their skill level.

If the public school district does not have a program available for autistic children, they are required by law to either find a school with the needed program or to create one without cost to the parents or guardian of an autistic child.

If you are experiencing problems with your local school district contact the members of the school-board and impress on them that there are laws regarding the education of your child.

The American Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination in the work force due to disability including state and local government, public accommodations, the United States Congress, public transportation, and telecommunications. Therefore if a person is autistic, but has the skills to do a certain job, they cannot be refused the job because of autism or other disabilities.

Other laws provide rights for people with disabilities to be constitutionally equal to others, allowing them the right to vote, and the polling places must make easy access, and other needed accommodations for them.

Another law protects autistic individuals from being refused housing based on their disability, this includes health care institutions and providing equal rights in all other aspects of life.

To be an effective advocate for autistic individuals, research and study the laws and how they apply to yourself and others with autism. Ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse for doing nothing to prevent mistreatment of the disabled, therefore, knowing the law and being able to intelligently speak for them will assure that justice prevails.

If you have questions, local law officials, should be ready and willing to provide you with materials needed to answer your questions.

Source: Autism-signs.com