ODs recognized in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) reauthorization bill (H.R. 1350) was signed into law December 3, 2004. The new law is intended to reduce burdensome paperwork for special education teachers, offer choices for parents of children needing special education, and reduce misidentification of children presumed to need special education services. The bill also gives local school districts new flexibility and resources to improve early intervention services.

As part of the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers section of IDEA, optometrists are specifically identified as qualified providers authorized to provide vision services. Under the Infants and Toddlers section, early intervention services are defined to include vision services. Optometrists are specifically listed as qualified personnel to provide vision services.