Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

(P.L. 108-446)

President George Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 into law (P.L. 108-446) on December 3, 2004. ASHA was closely involved with the reauthorization process, which spanned three years and two sessions of Congress.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) serves more than 6 million children in our nation's schools and preserves a free, appropriate public education for children with disabilities, including students with communication disorders. Over 50% of ASHA's 130,000 members work in a school-based setting, providing primary services to students with speech-language and hearing disorders. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists provide more than half of all services under the IDEA program. Communication skills, language, and literacy abilities define the very core of learning and set the course for school success.

If you are interested in receiving more information or have any legislative inquiries, please contact Neil Snyder, ASHA's Director of Federal Advocacy, at 800-498-2071, ext. 4257 or nsnyder@asha.org. For questions regarding regulatory activities, please contact Catherine Clarke, ASHA's Director of Education and Regulatory Advocacy, at 800-498-2071, ext. 4159 or cclarke@asha.org.