American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities from private employers and commercial entities that serve the public.

ADA/Section 504
The ADA is a civil rights law that extends the prohibition of discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs that receive federal funding (guaranteed under Section 504) to private employers and commercial entities that serve the public.

ADA/Section 504/IDEA
The ADA relates to students with disabilities in that school personnel cannot discriminate against students with disabilities without violating the ADA, but the law contains little to no specific provisions regarding education.

Section 504/IDEA
Section 504 and IDEA both contain general provisions related to the education of students with disabilities (e.g. FAPE, LRE, parental rights, assessment procedures) (504 - education plan).

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs that receive federal funding (e.g., public schools).

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA is the main federal legislation that regulates special education in the United States. IDEA contains specific provisions regarding the education of students with disabilities (e.g, specifies disability categories, contents of Individualized Education Plan, timelines for evaluation, disciplinary procedures).

IDEA/NCLB
Although much of NCLB is not specific to special education, IDEA has been aligned with aspects of NCLB related to the participation of students with disabilities in state proficiency tests and the emphasis on access to the general curriculum and academic achievement.

No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) (current name of Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or ESEA)
NCLB is a large and complex federal law that provides categorical grants to states that abide by the provisions of the Act.