-
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education is a monumental court case that lasted from 1952 to 1954. This case was the first time that the federal government stood up for children facing discrimination in schools. This paved the way for legislation regarding students with disabilities.
https://youtu.be/4F4edxloXCc -
Department of Public Welfare v. Haas
The Department of Public Welfare v. Haas was a case in Illinois that stated public education did not have to be available for disabled children. This was a major setback for disabled children in public education. However, this was the first thing activists addressed when fighting for disabled children's rights in public schools. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The ESEA act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, began the federal government's role in protecting children's right to public education. More specifically, the act works to ensure that students from disadvantaged backgrounds have equal opportunity and access to public education. For example, free and reduced lunch was made possible by ESEA. -
PARC v. Pennsylvania
The PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lawsuit was the first right-to-education lawsuit in America. It ensured that all children have a right to quality education. More specifically, it ruled that the state of Pennsylvania was not allowed to deny any child with a mental disability free public education. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
The EAHCA was the first defined LRE, or least restrictive environment. The act, in part, required individualized education programs. It also ensured that disabled children receive a free public education in all parts of the country. -
Board of Education v. Rowley
The case of Board of Education v. Rowley is another early form of LRE in America. The case ensured that any states participating were required to integrate disabled and non-disabled children whenever possible. -
Individuals with Disabilities Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was updated and changed to be called IDEA, or the Individuals with Disabilities Act. This update came with some additions to the Act: using people-first language when referring to people with disabilities, requires states to educate disabled people to transition into employment, and added autism and brain injury to be classified as disabilities.
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, prohibits discrimination based on someone's disability. One section of the act protects equal opportunities for disabled Americans. For example, public services or transportation. This is relevant because it allows for disabled Americans to travel to and from educational buildings when needed. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
The IDEIA has multiple sections that attempted the further protection of people with disabilities. It also worked to find prevention methods for students at risk. For example, federal funds were given to more prevention services in schools. -
Reports of the IDEA Act
The IDEA Act has been updated many times since its inception in 1975. In 2010 the U.S. Department of Education released a report on the work done by act. For example the percentage of adults with disabilities employed increased and the number of students with disabilities graduating high school increased as well. This is just a small amount of the good work IDEA has done over the years. The IDEA Act has undoubtedly helped countless children with disabilities in their educational journeys.
