Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Special #Education Day - Wednesday, December 2, 2015


Today is Special Education Day. This day, in 1975, marks when United States President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, known today as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) into law.

Special Education Day, first celebrated in 2005, marks the anniversary of that very first special education law. The landmark law guarantees, “A free and appropriate public education to children with disabilities.” The law provides equal opportunities and access for more than 6 million students with disabilities and special needs. Since the law’s enactment, several programs have been implemented to help students with disabilities due to Special Education Day.

The Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services has programs and services related to infants and youth with disabilities and their families. These programs range from early intervention, preschool special education, access to nonpublic schools, Medical Assistance for school-health related services, autism programs and other mental health initiatives.

Find out more about programs and support available for children with disabilities in Prince George’s County, Maryland at http://www1.pgcps.org/specialeducation/ and nationally, https://ccrs.osepideasthatwork.org/, and http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html.