-
The Supreme Court ruled that “separate is not equal.” Black families led this fight, and later parents of kids with disabilities used the same case to demand equal access to schools. https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/art/history.spec.ed.law.htm -
President Johnson signed ESEA to help disadvantaged students. Parents saw it as the first step toward fair funding and access, especially for kids living in poverty and kids with disabilities. -
Families finally got federal money directed to special ed programs. This law started shaping services that made schools more inclusive instead of shutting students out. -
Parents in PA fought for their children with intellectual disabilities. The court agreed kids had a right to public school. Families proved their voices could change the law -
Schools said they didn’t have money to teach kids with disabilities, but families took them to court. The ruling: every child deserves education, no excuses. -
The first disability civil rights law said schools can’t discriminate if they get federal funds. Parents now had a legal weapon to demand inclusion. https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/section-504?utm_source=chatgpt.com -
Families pushed hard for this law, which required FAPE, IEPs, and LRE. It gave parents a seat at the table in decisions about their children. https://youtu.be/L7At3eJRVQM?si=uFLSgcUEBybsM8RX -
Families wanted services for infants and toddlers too. These amendments added early intervention and family service plans, showing parents were true partners from the start. -
This update renamed EHA as IDEA. It pushed for inclusion in general classrooms and gave parents stronger rights to plan for their child’s future. https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/art/history.spec.ed.law.htm -
Families influenced this update to make sure students had access to the general curriculum. It gave parents more say in IEP meetings and promoted inclusion. https://www.projectidealonline.org/v/special-education-law/#google_vignette -
President Obama signed ESSA, keeping schools accountable for all students, including those with disabilities. Families saw it as a promise of equal opportunity.