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1954: Brown vs Board of Education
In this event taken by the U.S Supreme Court, segregation was declared to be unconstitutional. While this particular case solely focused on racial segregation, it also set the bars high for inclusion and equity in the field of education, while also promoting laws to support students with disabilities. This event stated separate educational institutions for students are not accepted and should be inclusive in schools Link -
1973: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
This legislation was the first to put in the civil right for those with disabilities. It did not allow of any discrimination against federal funded activities or programs. This law made sure that any students with disabilities received the same opportunities and educational programs as everyone else. Link -
1975: Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This law also known short EHA, was passed so that all public schools were required to provide free public education to those with disabilities, also known as FAPE which stands for Free and Appropriate Public Education. This enables disabled students to receive their own personalized IEPs tailored to their special needs. This law also ensured that the children are to receive their education in a less restrictive environment as possible. This law laid the base for students with disabilities. -
1990: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The passing of IDEA was placed in replacement of all handicapped children act, which widened its scope and led to specialized services for the disabled. This law also gave importance to inclusion for providing schooling in a less restrictive environment. It is IDEA that introduced the individual educational plans for having fulfill the specific needs of the disabled students. It also supported the need for families to be involved in the decision making process and have connections with schools. -
1990: Americans with Disabilities Act
This law prevented against any discrimination of the disable individuals in several settings, which included in education, transportation, any other public accommodations, as well as employment. Speaking of schools, disabled had the right to access of resources, any educational opportunities, and be provided with accommodations such as wheelchairs, and technology that can be used by the disabled. This made it fair to all those with disabilities and gave them equal access in life and education. -
1997: IDEA Amendments
In 1997 further amendments we’re added to the IDEA which highlighted the importance of inclusion of the disabled students in classrooms with general education. In this schools were also a required to prove why the disabled student is being placed in more restrictive environment. It also placed emphasis on having schools use researched to further support their intervention plans and collaboration with the families when discussing the IEP plan. This ensured disabled students get the same access. -
2004: IDEA Reauthorization
I’m 2004, IDEA updated it’s previous versions by asking schools to used more practices based on evidences for example, students with disabilities were required to take the district and state assessments to make sure they were headed towards their goals. It was then also focused to have early intervention services in place for students who had disabilities at a young age. And this law also called for continuation for less restrictive environments and promote inclusion in classrooms. -
2010: Rosa’s Law
With this law, the terms “mental retardation” was replaced instead with “intellectual disability “. This was done in order to respect the individual’s with disabilities and have dignity for them. This made a huge social impact on being respectful and using first person language when speaking of anyone with a disability. This law was named after Rosa Marcellino who herself had Down syndrome. This law helped to reduce the social stigma of people with disabilities and spread more acceptance of them -
2001: No Child Left Behind Act
This act required all the students to be monitored of their academic performances even those with disabilities. Schools were asked to include disabled students to take part in standardized testing as well to see their progress. This law made sure all students receive equal opportunities for academic success. Also this act ensured that disabled received the same high quality education as others with need of inclusive practices. This act was passed on January 8, 2002. -
Current Day: Universal design for Learning (UDL)
This educational frameworks goal is to provide an engaging and accessible learning environment for those with disabilities. It also includes to make the educational teaching methods and materials to be more flexible and fit the needs of the learning needs of the disabled. UDL also supports inclusion by asking educators to design more customized lesson plans that fit several learning styles and abilities of every student. This allows an equal educational opportunity for all the students.