On November 29, 1975 President Gerald Ford signed into law
the Education for All
Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), landmark legislation
that forever changed how American’s view individuals with disabilities. Now
known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this law
raised expectations for millions of students with disabilities who were
previously excluded from public school. Today, nearly 6 million students
with disabilities receive services provided by IDEA.
Over the past 37 years we have had the opportunity to witness countless successes as children with disabilities learn to develop their gifts, expand their horizons and contribute to their communities. IDEA has helped push the proliferation of practices that provide students with disabilities access to the general education curriculum and, in 1986 was expanded to support early intervention services which now impact over 300,000 infants and toddlers with disabilities.
Thank you, special educators! As we celebrate today’s 37th anniversary of IDEA, know that CEC appreciates the dedication of the nation’s over 400,000 special educators and is honored to work on your behalf!
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