Therapists are not 'legally' required to be at an IEP meeting. There is an exception: When it's a speech only IEP & it's the speech therapist. The therapist should provide written input when they are not at the meeting.
Not in the gen ed classroom really depends on the child & their disability. This was not appropriate until my child needed a 2nd senior year that covered how to navigate college. I believe the placement was classified as 'community' and not as sp ed.