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Council for Exceptional Students
The Council for Exceptional Students was founded in 1922 by Elizabeth Farrell. It is currently the largest professional organization dedicated to improving the educational experience for students with disabilities and gifts/talents. The CEC ensures that educators will be competent professionals in order to enable students to reach their full potential, as well as being a leader in the field of special education in terms of policy, curriculum, and advocacy. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a monumental Supreme Court case which ruled that U.S. state laws that promoted racial segregation in public schools were unconstitutional. Thurgood Mashall and the NAACP were the forerunners of this case. The main argument during this court case was that the school systems for Black and White students were unequal and violated the "Equal Protection Clause" of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1siiQelPHbQ -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) gave special education students many rights. Some of these rights include "nondiscriminatory testing, evaluation, and placement procedures", "education in the least restrictive environment", "procedural due process", and a free and appropriate education via an individualized education plan (IEP). It required all public schools that were federally funded to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day to special ed students. -
National Center for Learning Disabilities
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) was founded by Carrie and Pete Rozelle, originally called the Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities. Their main goal was to provide public awareness and financial support for research of learning disabilities. They also work to ensure that all citizens with learning disabilities be provided with equal opportunities in all aspects of life. They are a non-profit organization and the Rozelles were avid disabilities activists. -
Learning Disabilities Foundation of America
The Learning Disabilities Foundation of America (LDFA) is a public charity devoted to providing funds for research and education, as well as promoting awareness for adults and children with disabilities. The LDFA provides grants to non-profit organizations for projects related to disability research. They are a public charity that is tax-exempt and was founded by the Learning Disabilities Association. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (amended on June 3rd, 1980) is a civil rights law that forbade discrimination due to disability. This law was a precursor of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 currently works with ADA and IDEA to protect adults and children with disabilities from discrimination in their communities, schools and workplaces. This act requires that students with disabilities needs be accommodated as equally as students without disabilities. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides regulations for businesses to prevent discrimination based on disability. The act provides transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government programs and services. The main protection provided under this act is ensuring that citizens with disabilities be given equal access and opportunities for employment. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is an act that ensures that students with disabilities are provided with a free and public education in the least restrictive environment possible, meaning that they must be provided with adequate resources and equal learning opportunities. The act also requires that any public transportation that may be necessary to transport students with disabilities be provided to them by the school, as well as any extra resources such as tutoring. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) ensures that all children have a fair, equal and significant opportunity to be provided a high-quality education. This act ensures that Title I funding applies to students with disabilities. It requires states to develop assessments for basic skills in order to receive federal funding. NCLB places more emphasis on annual testing, academic progress, teacher qualifications, report cards and significant changes in funding. https://www2.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml -
Assistive Technology Act
The Assistive Technology Act ensures the continuous funding for assistive technology. The main goal of the act is to provide assistive technology to citizens with disabilities in order to ensure their opportunity for participation in education, employment and other daily activities as equally as the rest of the citizens in their communities. The new legislation made significant progress in providing the correct assistive technology to all people with disabilities who may need it.
