The first Special Education law, Public Law 94-142 was passed in 1975 and was known Education for All Handicapped. It was re-authorized every five years and in 1990, became Public Law 102-119, the Inividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA celebrated its 20th Birthday, which was marked in Arizona by a party at the Capitol on December 13, 1995.
A mother shared these thoughts at IDEA's Birthday celebration:
"Good afternoon. As stated, my name is Caroline Champlin. But I'm better known as Christopher's Mom. This is my son, Christopher... The reason for my being here today. Christopher just turned three and has what I call a bonus chromosome. Some people say he has Down syndrome.
Christopher has benefited from Part H of IDEA since he was about three months old. At that time, he entered an early intervention program and received speech, occupational and physical therapy. The biggest benefit of the therapy was teaching me how to help Christopher. He was one of the first recipients of services through the Arizona early Intervention Program. If he had been born a few years earlier, he would have had no services.
Now we are transitioning from Part H services to Part B services through our local school. Without IDEA, he would not have the opportunity to begin his education at the age of three.
I plan to have Christopher fully included in his school. I have seen remarkable growth in him due to being with children without disabilities. I see him fully accepted by all students. He is just another kid in a classroom. IDEA insures that his education will be the best it can be. I don't expect the school to do it all ... the school is a partner in Christopher’s education along with his family, his sitter and his friends.
Like the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. I have a dream. My dream is that someday we won't need IDEA... that all children will be recognized as unique. That each child will have an individualized educational experience tailored to meet their learning style.. that there will be no more Division of Developmental Disabilities.. that there will be no more Exceptional Student Services... My dream is that children with disabilities will be known as children.”
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