The U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Tracing Inclusion and Exclusion of the Disabled from Ford to Bush II

The United States Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is 30 years of age. IDEA affords individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities (through age 21) a free appropriate public education, an individualized education plan, and many accommodations in an attempt to include those with disabilities in the educational experience. Throughout its brief history, the party in power has, through amendment of the law, presidential action or inaction, or litigation opened the door to those with disabilities in some cases and supported de facto exclusion in others. This paper displays a timeline tracing the effects of the legislation, in its various forms, on the disabled populace. All manifestations of the law will were examined: from its origin during the Ford administration; amendments in the George Herbert Walker Bush and Clinton administrations, to reauthorization under the current government. Corresponding litigation brought by advocates and opponents was dissected as to its effects on education access for those with disabilities. Additionally, the effects of educational reform on students with disabilities are examined by discussion of the controversial "No Child Left Behind" law. Finally, the paper discusses the 2004 election results and its probable implications on the future of disability education legislation.