On November 29, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed into law the bipartisan Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which is now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This legislation provides the legal foundation for one of the most important civil rights initiatives in the last 50 years. Prior to the passage of IDEA, many students with disabilities were denied public education. Some were sent to separate institutions, some were afforded limited opportunities, and many were excluded entirely.
 
Recognizing this injustice, Congress enacted the IDEA, which guarantees any student in the United States, regardless of their type of disability, a free and appropriate public education that considers the child’s individual educational needs. Today, more than 7.5 million students across our nation are provided with special education services under IDEA.
 
In recognition of this milestone, we will be introducing a resolution to recognize the 50th anniversary of the enactment of IDEA. For the past half century, IDEA has guaranteed rights and helped to open doors for students with disabilities, ensuring them access to an education which takes into consideration their unique abilities and needs and which prepares them for future success. While there is still work to be done, there is much to celebrate in how far we have come.
 
Please join us in supporting this resolution to celebrate 50 years of IDEA.