Venturing outside the Bounds of IDEIA in Search of Inclusive Christian Education: An Autoethnographic Account

Abstract

While US federal law, Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (1975–2004), IDEIA, guarantees education to all children with disabilities attending public schools, private schools can exclude children with disabilities. Historically, Christian families have found that Christ-centered schools do not offer admittance to children with disabilities. However, some Christian schools are beginning to serve children with mild disabilities or on a case by case basis. This autoethnographic account explores one family’s vulnerability in venturing outside the protection of IDEIA to attend a local Christian school. This article also challenges the perception that children with disabilities are better served by public schools.