This book provides a comprehensive analysis of federal laws and court decisions addressing the rights of persons with disabilities including the following: the U.S. Constitution; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; Sections 501 and 503 of the Rehabilitation Act; Americans with Disabilities Act; Education for All Handicapped Children Act; the Architectural Barriers Act; the Fair Housing Act; the Urban Mass Transportation Act; and the Federal-Aid Highway Act. Topics addressed include the following: equal protection and fundamental rights; procedural issues; recipients of federal financial assistance; eligibility as a handicapped individual; "reasonable accommodations" for otherwise qualified individuals; discrimination and special issues regarding education and employment; access to services; remedies and attorneys' fees; access to transportation; architectural barriers; housing; special education issues (e.g., confidentiality, due process, handicapped infants and toddlers, judicial review, discipline, private schooling, third party payments, least restrictive environment, and individualized education programs); and disabled newborns. (DB)