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Today, children with disabilities routinely attend the same public schools as children without disabilities. But this was not always the case. Prior to legislation requiring public education for children with cognitive or emotional disabilities, deafness, blindness or the need for speech therapy, among others, parents had few options other than to educate their children at home or pay for expensive private education. The story of Special Education begins in the early part of the 20th Century. Parents formed advocacy groups to help bring the educational needs of children with disabilities to the public eye. These groups gained momentum mid-century. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy created the President’s Panel on Mental Retardation. The panel’s recommendations included federal aid to states. In 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which … Read entire article »

Special education programs did not always used to be mandatory in the United States. Prior to 1975 there were not state-funded programs in relation to children with special needs. In the two decades prior to the 1970s family associations would often form to advocate the rights of these children. Soon the Federal government started creating funding and programs as well as services development to provide assistance for these families. Soon two laws were created for the professional training for children with mental retardation. The 1961 Teachers of the Deaf Act required training for teachers of the deaf. The year 1965 brought two more laws in relation to funding towards educating disabled children. Two more law followed prior to the passing of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. This … Read entire article »