A Timeline of the History of IDEA
December 2nd is Special Education Day celebrated to commemorate the signing of IDEA in 1990 which ensured that children with disabilities have access to free, quality public education.
Visit our Interactive Timeline or scroll through to read more about the history of IDEA!
1958: The Captioned Films Act was signed into law by President Eisenhower to provide the deaf and hearing impaired services for viewing films.
1959: Training of Professional Personnel Act helped to train leaders to educate children with intellectual disabilities.
1961: Teachers of the Deaf Act trained instructional personnel for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
1965: Elementary and Secondary Education Act and State Schools Act provided states with grant assistance to help educate students with disabilities.
1968: Handicapped Children's Early Education Assistance Act funded model demonstration programs for preschool students with disabilities.
1972: Economic Opportunity Amendments of 1972 were signed into law by President Nixon establishing that no less than 10 percent of the total number of enrollment opportunities for the Headstart program must be filled by children with disabilities and that services must be provided to address their needs.
1975: Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was signed into law in 1975 by President Gerald Ford. The four main purposes of the EHA were (1) to assure that all children with disabilities have access to appropriate appropriate public education which is designed to meet their needs, (2) to assure that the rights of disabled children and their parents are protected, (3) to assist States and localities in providing education for all children with disabilities, and (4) to assess and assure that the effectiveness of all efforts to educate children with disabilities.
1986: Reauthorization of Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) extended services to children with disabilities as soon as they are born. Previously, services were not offered until children were age three.
1990: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the renamed, reauthorized EHA act that added traumatic brain injury and autism as new disability categories. Additionally, it mandated that IEPs must include an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) that helps prepare student for post-secondary life.
1997: Reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) emphasized access to general curriculum and extended the classification of "developmental delay" to age nine. Additionally, it requires that parents were provided a mediator to resolve disputes between schools and local educational agencies.
2004: Reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) aligned the IDEA with the No Child Left Behind Act requirements by allowing early intervention for children not currently identified as needing special education, but who need additional academic and behavioral support to succeed. Additionally, it raised the standards for special education instructors.
2006: Updated Regulations for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) revised IDEA regulations to require schools to use research-based interventions in assisting students to determine their eligibility for special education class. Additionally, it shifted responsibility to provide equitable services for private school children to the local educational agency (LEA).
|
|
Let's Make the Holidays Accessible!
Please reach out to dshn@jmu.edu to share resources that would be helpful for folks in our network, or for more resources on any specific topic.
While the holidays can be exciting and fun, they can also be stressful and anxiety-ridden for people with disabilities. But, there are many ways to make the holidays more accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities.
1. Make sure your holiday event is accessible!
One of the easiest ways to be sure the holidays are more comfortable for individuals with disabilities is to make sure your holiday event is accessible! If you are hosting a party, dinner, or family reunion, be sure to check with every to be sure you have the proper accommodations in place. If you are sending out formal invites, be sure to include a note about accommodations in the RSVP. It can be as simple as "We want everyone to have fun - please let us know of any dietary restrictions or any other physical accommodations you need in order to attend! We are happy to accommodate you!" Additionally, ADA regulations are available online. Be sure your space meets all the regulations. If not, make the appropriate adjustments or find a space that is accessible.
2. Create a plan
The holidays can be difficult for people with disabilities for a number of reasons, but one reason can be the increase in the amount of travel and change. Before the holidays, sit down with your child or client and discuss travel plans. Understanding where and when they are going somewhere can help them to feel less overwhelmed. You can even create a calendar using fun stickers and colors to help visualize the holiday schedule.
Additionally, include them in the holiday planning. Maybe there is something they really want to do - see Santa at the mall, drink hot coco and watch The Polar Express, see the lights at the park – be sure to ask them what they want to do for the holidays and create a plan for getting everything done!
3. Create a secret signal
While it is great to spend the holidays with friends and family, being around a lot of people that you do not normally interact with can be stressful and overwhelming for persons with disabilities. Before any gathering, be sure to establish a code word, signal, or sign with your child/client. While caregivers are often attuned to their child/clients emotions and triggers, having a signal or code word ensures that when they are feeling overwhelmed, they can quickly be removed from the situation and moved to it quiet area.
4. Involve them in the decorating process
Holiday decorations can be fun and beautiful, but for persons with I/DD, lights and new objects can be stressful and intimidating. There are a few options for decorating when your child/client is sensitive to visual change. First, ask if they are interested in helping! Actively participating in decorating can help them feel more comfortable with the change. If they are not interested in helping, consider putting off decorating for the holidays until right before. For example, waiting until Christmas Eve or Christmas week to decorate for the holiday.
Along with decorations, comes new holiday smells. If you child/client is sensitive to new smells (ex. cinnamon, apples, pumpkin pie), try finding decorations that are unscented or begin introducing the new scents early. For young children, a fun and easy way to do this is to mix cinnamon or pumpkin pie seasoning in with their play-dough.
5. Set boundaries with family and friends
Sometimes the holidays are the only time we see certain friends or family members. While these friends and family may be familiar with your child/client's disability, it is important to set boundaries and manage expectations. Let them know what your child/client needs to be comfortable in the environment. Make sure the space is accessible and be honest and open about what your child/client needs to for a healthy, inviting holiday. environment. Additionally, do not force affection. Family and friends might be inclined to try and hug, kiss, touch, or hold your child/client to show affection. First, do not force your child/client to interact in an overly affectionate way. You can stress the importance of being polite and saying/signing "Hello," but they should not be forced to give hugs or show physical affection. You can also explain to relatives and friends that your child/client does not show affection through physical touch and explain ways in which they do show their affection.
6. Don't forget about school!
While holidays can change the schedule at home, they also change the schedule at school. Be sure to communicate with your child/client about upcoming assemblies, holiday parties, or early/late dismissals. Additionally, be sure to speak with their teacher about dietary restrictions that may be impacted by sharing holiday treats.
The holidays don't have to be scary! It's all about preparation!
So, are you ready?
|
|
|
Resources throughout the newsletter are labeled as follows:
[t]=text [v]=video [a]=audio [l]=list [w]=website
[w] 12 Days of Holiday Coping for Children with Disabilities This resource provides tips for dealing with anxiety and stress of having a child with disabilities during the holiday season.
[v] Disability and the Holidays In this video, partners Jessie and Claude discuss handling the holidays as people with disabilities.
[a] S2 Ep24: Holidays and Disability In this episode of Living with a Disability - No Big Deal! , hosts Brad, Greg, and Jennifer discuss the challenges for people with disabilities during the holidays.
[t] Holiday Survival Guide for Families with Special Needs Though a little out-dated, this resource shares gift ideas for children with disabilities as well as holiday decoration tips.
[w] Holiday Social Stories Social stories are a great resource for children with IDD. This resource includes various social stories and worksheets that help to explain Winter Break, returning to school, what to expect at Christmas, social scripts for receiving gifts, Hanukkah social story and more!
[a] S1 Ep10: Holidays for the Special Needs Family In this episode of Our Hidden Stories, hosts Tayla and Joanna speak about the important issues the holidays pose for families with children with disabilities.
|
|
|
Tip: Use YouTube's media player controls to make videos more accessible. Find out how at the links below:
|
|
|
|
Youth Advisory Board Connection
YAB Tips for Accessible Holiday Gatherings:
As the holidays are upon us, many people enjoy gathering with family and/or friends to celebrate together. These tips from DSHN's Youth Advisory Board share some of the ways you can make your holiday gathering accessible and enjoyable for all attendees.
- Pay attention to physical space:
- Clear a wheelchair accessible path into the house and where you will gather
- Make a plan for bathroom accessibility
- Label allergens
- Provide a quiet area away from the hustle and bustle for people to rest if overstimulated
- Invite people to share sensitivities and access-needs beforehand:
- Make it clear in invitations that sharing your needs is encouraged
- Before and during the event, please respect all needs that attendees may express
- Provide clear and adequate information about the location and other details of the event
- Practice consent in all activities:
- Make hugs and physical contact optional
- Avoid mandatory participation in events or socializing
- Show understanding if someone decides not to try a new food or activity
- Foster and atmosphere of respect
- Avoid conversations about weight gain or needs to "work off" meals, as this may be uncomfortable for people with anxiety, eating disorders, or body dysmorphia
- Avoid comments or questions about people's bodies or identities unless explicitly invited (this includes characteristics like weight, disability, sexuality, or other identities)
- Similarly, avoid commenting or asking intrusive questions about people's romantic relationships unless invited by the individual
- Respect people's comfort levels and preferences surrounding conversation topics
- Accept diversity in how people choose to celebrate or not celebrate holidays
 
|
|
|
Accessible Holiday Activities!
As we have be stressing in this email, the Holidays can be fun, but they are often inaccessible to persons with diverse abilities. That being said, here are a few actives that are fun and accessible for everyone!
|
|
|
Bake and Decorate Cookies
Baking and decorating cookies can be a fun way to do something special and eat something sweet for the holidays! The best part about cookie baking is there are so many ways to be involved in the process! Whether you are mixing the batter, decorating the cookies, or just eating them, it is a nice way to get everyone involved in the holiday fun!
|
|
Admire Festive Lights
There are many different ways to appreciate all the holiday lights, one of them being in the car! Spend an evening driving through your local park or neighborhood looking for the best light display.
|
|
|
Holiday Shopping
Holiday shopping can be overwhelming for anyone, but especially for persons with disabilities. Luckily, shopping doesn't have to mean going to the store. If your child/client is able to use the computer or tablet, have them shop for items they would like for themselves or for others online. Another option is finding catalogues for stores and letting them circle items they are interested in.
|
|
Holiday Movie Night
Many people travel to local theaters to see plays like A Christmas Carol or take a trip to the ballet to see The Nutcracker, but these options are not always accessible to children with disabilities. Instead of traveling or being in a space with a lot of other people, consider having your own holiday movie night at home! Make popcorn, pick a holiday movie, and make sure to put on your comfiest pajamas!
|
|
|
|
