Educators and parents have worked very hard on advocacy for all children in classroom settings for many decades. It’s been just a few decades that inclusive classrooms have become mandatory in the schools. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is our foundation for inclusive practices.

The initial authorization of IDEA happened in 1975, but over the years it had been reauthorized to make provisions for schools to address the needs for children with limited English language proficiency, homeless children and children with disabilities (Gargiulo, 2006).

IDEA provides guidelines for teachers and school administrators so intervention services can be offered Specialized staff and technology devices for students in need of assistance are also included, so they can succeed in school.

The American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed by President George Bush. This act of 1990. After this act passed, people with special needs have more access than never before to things like:

• accessible curbs
• automatic door openers
• designated parking spaces
• electronic wheelchairs
• electronic technology specific to their need, and much more