"Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the .
right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society. Improving .
educational results for children with disabilities is an essential element of our .
national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, .
independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with .
disabilities." IDEA "97.
Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendment of 1997 (IDEA) is one of the most recent and updated law that is out there today that support children with disabilities and their education. The first federal law designed to assist individuals with disabilities date back to the early days. In 1798 the Fifth Congress passed the first federal law concerned with the care of persons with disabilities. For the most of our nations schools, they were allowed to exclude and often did exclude certain children, especially those with disabilities. .
Since the 1960's there has been a great deal of federal legislation that related directly or indirectly to individuals with disabilities, particularly children and youth. The numerous court decisions decided to pass the federal law that protected the rights of students with disabilities and guarantee them that a free and appropriate supported education was available for them. .
Ever since that federal law was passed there has been 6 amendments made to it. In 1975 the law for special education was amended and was made more efficient to better accommodate the needs of children with a disability. P.L. 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act mandated a free and appropriate public education for all children with disabilities, ensured due process rights and mandated Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
Before the enactment of P.L. 94-142 the special educational needs of children with disabilities were not being fully met.