If you have an autistic child, your rights are the prime things that you should learn and study. The constitution protects every American citizen, and special laws have been passed in order to protect autistic people and people suffering from other disabilities. If you know your rights and the laws that can protect your autistic dear ones, you will find yourself in a world with better opportunities, irrespective of disability, gender, ethnicity and race. Knowing ones laws helps create a world in which there is more tolerance.
The I.D.E.A is the first law that you should familiarize yourself with. This is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This act covers the age group 3-21 and provides special educational programs that autistic children require. This act gives the parents an active role to play when it comes to education that the school gives. First, you child will need to qualify under this act and a private professional makes this assessment. If your child qualifies, he or she gains the right to receive free public education according to her or his skill level. If the public school you choose does not have any provisions for such a program, it is mandatory that they create a program free of any charge.
Another act you need to know is the American Disabilities Act. This act prohibits discrimination based on disability in the workforce and with local and state government, the US congress, public accommodations, telecommunications and public transport. For instance, if a person suffers from autism, but has all the skills required for a particular job, he or she cannot be denied the job due to their condition.
There are many other laws that provide for autistic people to be constitutionally equal to everyone else. One of these laws states that autistic people have voting rights and all accommodations should be made to facilitate this. Another law states that no kind of housing can be denied to a person because he or she suffers from autism. There are many other laws providing for equality in many other aspects of life, and if someone you love is in a health care institution, you should study these laws well. You will help uphold justice if you know your laws and how it applies to your loved ones and to you. If you have any queries, local law officials will be willing and ready to answer them for you or provide you with sufficient material to clear your doubts. Ignorance is not a valid excuse. Therefore educate yourself regarding your laws so that you can protect yourself and autistic people around you.
By: Abhishek Agarwal
© 2010 Special Education
