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Brown vs. Board of Education
This Supreme Court case was focused on fighting for civil rights that resulted in free, equal education for all. The argument was used that separate is inherently unequal. The result of these cases was ending the segregation of public schools. http://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/history-brown-v-board-education-re-enactment -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act (504)
This federal law was the jump start for programs to be created for vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, independent living, and client assistance for people with disabilities. A movement was started by injured veterans who came home from war with injuries that resulted in disabilities. These programs not only benefited these veterans, they helped all people with disabilities. https://www.nad.org/resources/civil-rights-laws/rehabilitation-act-of-1973/ -
PL 94-142 Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Prior to 1975, children with disabilities were not required by law to attend school. PL 94-142 guaranteed children with disabilities access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). There was an accountability system in place to ensure every state adhered to the law as required. The law safe guarded the rights of children with disabilities and their parents and provided assistance to states in implementing the law. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/idea35/history/index_pg10.html -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This is the first civil rights law that addressed the needs of people with disabilities. This law prohibited discrimination in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications. This law required physical supports be made so that buildings, public transportation, and other services would be 100% accessible to people with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/history/35th/1990s/ada.html -
No Child Left Behind
This law is the current version of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965). This law focused on improvement of student academic performance and closing the achievement gap within schools. This law mandated stronger accountability for results, extra funding for services, parental choice in the school their child attends, supplemental services, person first language, and developed transition programs. https://www.ncld.org/archives/action-center/learn-the-law/esea-nclb -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
This law implemented a large amount of new requirements to ensure students with disabilities are really receiving an appropriate education. IDEA implemented individualized education plans (IEP), least restrictive environment (LRE), due process, advocacy for parents, non-discriminatory evaluation, early intervention services, and the use of evidence-based practice. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/
