National Special Education Day
This month includes an important day – National Special Education Day, which recognizes changes in federal legislation that led to the nation’s first federal special education law. In 1990, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and improved access for all children with developmental delay. Through the years, the Act has been enhanced to improve services and standards throughout the educational system. The IDEA made education available to all American children. The day honors the progress that has been made in special education. Thanks to the teachers who worked with these students. Thanks to those who created new technologies to help children with disabilities. There is a long way to go, but we’re beyond the days when disabled students – and their parents – were ignored, belittled and stigmatized.