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From: Kathleen Whitmire
Date: 10/7/02
Time: 11:49:16 AM
Remote Name: 65.216.246.2
If I understand your questions correctly, you're talking about getting such special education legislation established in the first place, is that right? It took many years to get our current level of support in the schools for children with special needs. The history of this law goes back to social issues regarding recognition of individuals with disabilities within our country, to provide assistance to them at all ages. This has been ongoing for many years, to make them integrated into services and activities in the US. Originally, programs within the schools were separate programs in separate rooms or buildings; after almost 30 of this, we are now including more children with disabilities in classroom with other children. The evolution of these programs has been slow, difficult, and costly. It has taken many advocates - educators, parents, and individuals with disabilities themselves - to fight for the services that we have achieved today.
You can access more information on IDEA '97 at www.ed.gov or www.ideapractices.org.