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ACLD Creation
The Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (ACLD) was incorporated in January 1964. The organization was created by a group of parents and adults with learning disabilities who convened at a conference titled “Exploration into the Problems of the Perceptually Handicapped Child.” Professionals and parents gathered to find a solution for the dire need of services for special needs children that did not exist. -
Children with Specific Learning Disabilities Act
The Children with Specific Learning Disabilities Act of 1969 is passed. This is the first time federal law mandates assistive services for students with learning disabilities. The term "learning disabilities" finally had a place within federal law. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (amended to Rehab Act) Section 504 addresses protections for students with disabilities. Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities in programs that receive federal financial assistance. Thus, guaranteeing civil rights to all disabled people and accommodations for disabled students. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
Congress enacted Public Law 94-142 in 1975, also known as The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. The purpose of this act is that all children with disabilities would “have a right to education, and to establish a process by which State and local educational agencies may be held accountable for providing educational services for all handicapped children.” -
Hendrick Hudson Central School Dist. v. Rowley
This was the first special education case by the U. S. Supreme Court; defined "free appropriate public education" in the least restrictive environment. The U.S. Supreme Court specified the level of services students with special needs
should be provided and that they should have an "educational benefit" not an enhancement. -
Regular Education Initiative (REI)
The Regular Education Initiative (REI), was introduced by former Assistant Secretary of Education, Madeleine C. Will. She expressed that general educators needed to become more responsible for the education of students who have special needs in school. Mrs. Will wanted to bridge the gap between general and special education. -
IDEA
EHA eventually became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990. IDEA ensures a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities and ensures special education and related services to those children. This legislation also added traumatic brain injury (TBI) and autism to the list of disabilities. https://youtu.be/Oj4b9d4XAdY -
NCLB Act
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) provided further accountability to schools and added technology assistance and loan programs to help schools receive necessary special education resources. NCLB made significant changes in the curriculum of public primary and secondary schools in the U.S. and dramatically increased federal regulation of state school systems. -
IDE(I)A
President Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, a reauthorization and revision of IDEA. This legislature ensures students with disabilities are provided a free public education tailored to their needs. The requirements regarding “highly qualified” special education teachers became effective immediately upon signature. https://www.ldonline.org/ld-topics/special-education/highlights-key-provisions-and-important-changes-final-regulations-idea -
AT Act
The Improving Access to Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004, signed into law by President Bush, ensures the continued existence of a major source of funding for assistive technology.The goal of the act is to provide assistive technology to persons with disabilities, so they can fully participate in education, employment, and daily life on a level playing field with other members of their communities.