What is the Americans with Disabilities Act?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the United States. This law protects people with disabilities from discrimination in areas such as employment, education, and the services and activities available in public places. The ADA defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, and breathing. In Virginia, the ADA ensures that students with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education. This includes providing support services and accommodations to make sure all students with disabilities can take part in school activities and programs. For example, a school may provide an assistive device such as a wheelchair ramp, or adjust a seating arrangement to accommodate a student in a wheelchair. In Virginia, school systems must also develop policies to protect the rights of all students with disabilities. These policies must outline the rights of students, and set out procedures for resolving any disputes that may arise. Further, school administrators must provide training for staff, faculty, and volunteers so that they can be aware of the rights of students with disabilities and how best to ensure that they are able to participate in all school activities. Overall, the Americans with Disabilities Act helps to ensure that all students with disabilities in Virginia have the same access to education as their peers. This allows students with disabilities to fully engage in their education and to gain the most from their learning experience.

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