National Special Education Day

A day marking the anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) — the federal law guaranteeing students with disabilities the right to a free appropriate public education. Special Education Day honors the progress made and the work still to do.

History

National Special Education Day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975 — the predecessor to IDEA. The law transformed American education by establishing that children with disabilities have the right to public education in the least restrictive environment.

How to Participate

• →Learn what IDEA guarantees and what it requires of schools
• →Celebrate the special educators, therapists, and advocates who serve disabled students
• →Reflect on gaps in implementation — rights on paper vs. rights in practice
• →Advocate for adequate funding for special education services
• →Support families navigating the IEP process for the first time

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