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Brown v. Board of Education
This groundbreaking civil rights case held that separate education for African-American children was not equal and was therefore unconstitutional. This began the process of integrating schools across the nation. Twenty years later, students with disabilities would be afforded the same right. -
The First International Special Olympics
Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded the Special Olympics in 1962 in order to provide athletic training for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The organization continued to grow internationally and on July 20th, 1968, the first International Special Olympics Games were held. Here is a video clip of Eunice addressing the athletes during the momentous event. -
Mills v. Board of Education
In 1971, a lawsuit was filed against the District of Columbia for denying a seven year old child an education because of substantial disabilities and the apparent financial difficulties of the school. The court ruled that no child, regardless of a disability, may be denied education on any basis. -
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
in 1971, the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania over a law that had given schools the right to deny a free and appropriate education to students over the age of 8 who had not yet reached the mental age of five. The court ruled that all students, regardless of their disability, had a right to an education between the ages of 6 and 21. -
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first disability civil rights law to be passed in the United States of America. Its purpose is to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability and it applies specifically to any public institution receiving federal funds. -
The Education For All Handicapped Children Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act required public schools to provide equal access to education to students with physical and mental disabilities. It also required these schools to fairly evaluate students with disabilities and provide them with any services necessary to access a free and appropriate public education. -
The Office of Special Education Programs Founded
The Office of Special Education Programs is a part of the U.S.
Department of Education and provides support for professionals working with individuals with disabilities. It was created in 1979 with the purpose of strengthening and coordinating activities on the behalf of individuals with disabilities. More information can be found about OSEP at this website. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. This law covers a wide range of areas, such as employment, schools, transportation, and other places that are open to the public. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
As one of the most important pieces of disability-related legislation, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees a free and appropriate public education to all children with disabilities. This act was a re-authorization of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 and effectively set the standard for the education of millions of children with disabilities. -
IDEA Reauthorization
In 1997, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was amended. This amended broadened the definition of a disabled child to include children aged 3 to 9 who are developmentally delayed. It also required parents to mediate any local issues with schools in a very prescribed manner. Finally, the amendment added grant opportunities for technology, infants and toddlers with a disability, parent training, and professional development. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act focused on improving education for all children across the country. This act requires schools to be held accountable for students with disabilities and their educational outcomes. -
IDEA Improvement Act
In order to better align with the No Child Left Behind Act, the IDEA Improvement Act was signed into law in 2004. This reauthorization revised the requirements of evaluating children with learning disabilities and provided more rigid guidelines for disciplining students with disabilities.
