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Today is National Special Education Day. This commemorates the anniversary of our nation’s first federal special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), signed by President Ford on this day in 1975.
It is hard to believe, but before this law was passed, public schools could deny children with mental and learning disabilities a publicly funded education. Schools were not required to make accommodations for children with disabilities and as many parents couldn’t afford special private schools, education was denied. This was the first of a handful of important laws that protected access to educational opportunities for children with disabilities.
Some of the changes that resulted from IDEA included technologies that aided educating children with disabilities; and integrating them into classrooms, which helped remove the stigma of their disabilities.
At Flatrock, we celebrate IDEA and the wonderful strides it has made for those challenged with disabilities. Through occupational and other therapies, fostering independence and interaction and providing a supportive environment, Flatrock residents have access to a continuing education to achieve goals and become their personal best.
