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Brown v. Board of Education
It was a Supreme Court case that ended racial segregation in schools. The law was ruled unconstitutional. Because of this ruling, children with disabilities were now allowed to get a “free appropriate public education” in public schools.
Retrieved from: https://www.acslaw.org/expertforum/the-meaning-of-brown-for-children-with-disabilities/ -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965
It gave schools more resources for susceptible children. Grants were provided to schools for educational purposes. Special education centers were created. They also got new textbooks from the grants as well. Along with many great things that came out of this act was revised elementary and secondary education.
Retrieved from: https://blog.ed.gov/2015/04/what-is-esea/ -
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) 1973
This act provides children with disabilities to have educational rights. Because this legislation passed, every child with disabilities has access to free appropriate public education. This is an individualized educational program to fit the needs of the child who qualifies for “having a disability or special education.”
Link: [ https://www.understandingspecialeducation.com/fape.html ] -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
“Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act was the first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the United States. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal financial assistance.” This is the backbone of follow-on legislation for people with disabilities both physical and mental.
Retrieved from: https://dredf.org/legal-advocacy/laws/section-504-of-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973/ -
Education for All Handicapped Children (1975)
“This act required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education for children with physical and mental disabilities. This act required that public schools provide programs specifically for those with disabilities. This act required that public schools provide access to education for children with disabilities.” This act forced public school systems to use their funds also for children with disabilities.[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/94/s6/summary] -
Americans with Disabilities Act 1990
If you have a disability you cannot be discriminated against just because of your disability. This includes public and private places in life. Some examples of places would be transportation, schools and jobs. This is important to society today because no one should be discriminated against just for having a disability.
Retrieved from: https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-overview -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (1990)
“The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities." This act broadened educational benefits to children younger than school-aged to benefit from benefits. Retrieved from: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/ -
No child left behind Act (2002)
"This act’s goal was to assist students who were considered disadvantaged and to level the playing field for them. It was controversial because it mandated statewide testing and penalties for poor performance by school districts." The goals were lofty, but the effect was highly unpopular and according to the opinions of many it was ineffective.
[https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/no-child-left-behind-nclb-what-you-need-to-know] -
Assistive Technology Act (2010)
We live in and are surrounded by technology today. What this act does is assure people with disabilities access to services and devices for assistive technology. It also promotes awareness of these technologies. Called the Tech Act, it was necessary for assisting people with disabilities to become "more fully" functioning members of society.
Link: [ https://www.parentcenterhub.org/ata/ ] -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (2015)
"Requires that all students in America be taught to high academic standards that will prepare them to succeed in college and careers." This act was passed in response to, and to address, the controversies associated with the No Child Left Behind Act.
Retrieved from: https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=rn
