-
Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court ruled that school segregation, regardless of the distribution of resources, was unconstitutional. This landmark case in its stand against racial segregation also created a foundation from which to advocate for individuals with disabilities who were treated unfairly by the school system. -
Department of Public Welfare v. Haas
The Supreme Court of Illinois ruled that the "feebleminded" and "mentally deficient" were not covered by the free public education under the state's compulsory education laws. This ruling demonstrates that while the federal government was taking steps to address racial segregation, students with disabilites continued to be excluded from public education. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The passage of this bill created an active role for the federal government regarding education of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Included in this law was funding made available to states for programs for students with disabilities. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA) Public Law 92-112 Section 504
This act prevented organizations which accepted federal funds from discriminating against individuals with disabilites. This law expanded opportunties for people with disabilities not only in education but in the workforce and community as well. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act P.L. (Public Law) 94-142
For the first time, under PL 94-142 schools were required to provide a free and appropriate education for students with disabilities. Children with disabilities could now expect that their needs would be evaluated and accomodated on an individual basis within the least restrictive environment. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Public Law 101-336
The Americans with Disabilites Act expanded the protections of the VRA to the private sector. Individuals with disabilities were provided with equal opportunity in transportation, accomodations, public services, telecommunications as well as employment. The ADA aligned with the new provisions in the IDEA act of requiring transition to employment for students with disabilities. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Public Law 101-476)
IDEA replaced EAHCA in 1990. This new law reflected a shifting approach to special education and towards individuals with disabilites in general. This changing attitude is reflected in the inclusion of "people first" language. The law also required states to provide plans for and aid in transition for employment for students with disabilties. IDEA was modified again in 1997. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Public Law 105-17
The 1997 revisions of IDEA shifted the approach to special education once again. The new revisions require general education teachers to participate in IEP meetings. Additionally, states are required to offer mediation to resolve their differences. Perhaps, the most notable changes in the 1997 law are the requirement that schools do more to ensure access to general curriculum and the requirement that students with disabilites take part in statewide and districtwide assessments. -
Individuals with Disabilites Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) Public Law 108-446
This 2004 law provided another shift in the local approach to education for students with disabilites. Response to Intervention was incorporated as a model to identify learning disabiliites. Additionally, funding was increased to provide early intervention for students who don't qualify for special education or related services.
