Ed.gov – Hannah Smith
“This month, our nation marks the 40th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), signed by President Gerald Ford. This law represents a landmark civil rights measure that has helped to give all children the opportunity to develop their talents and contribute to their communities. IDEA opened the doors of public schools to millions of children with disabilities. Before the law was passed, children with disabilities in this country were not guaranteed equal access to a quality education…Today, nearly 62 percent of students with disabilities are in general education classrooms.”(more)