Thanks to the ADA – Ivy’s story

When Ivy was four years old, her family was told she couldn’t go to a school for deaf people, even though Ivy is hard of hearing. Ivy had problems communicating and learning in a regular school. She needed a school that could help her learn to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL).

In the United States, children are entitled to a free and appropriate education. The ADA and other laws make sure children with disabilities can also go to school and learn. Some children with disabilities need to have an education plan made just for them. This is called an Individualized Education Plan or an IEP.  

Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT) worked with Ivy’s school to get her IEP and school to provide what she needed. Today, thanks to the ADA and other laws, Ivy is now in a school where she is learning ASL and social skills.  

Her mom shared enthusiastically,  “Ivy loves going to school now!”

She is interacting with her peers and making friends. Because she is at a school that meets her needs, she is more likely to succeed in the world. Thanks to the ADA and other disability rights laws, children are more likely to receive the opportunity to meet their greatest potential.