Historical Events Leading to Inclusion

1948 - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Many consider this "international bill of rights" to be the United Nations most important achievement, recognizing that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. "The document lists civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights including; the right to life and liberty; freedom from slavery, torture and cruel punishment; the right to marry and own property; the right to work; the right to education; and, the right to a standard of living that ensures good health.

1954 - Brown v. Board of Education On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously declared; "In the field of public education the doctrine of 'separate but equal' has no place- Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." This decision signaled the end of all legal segregation.

1964 - Civil Rights Act The Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, color and religion. As amended in 1990 by Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the act now prohibits discrimination based on disability.

1973 - The Rehabilitation Act This statute requires that federal agencies make "reasonable accommodation" of an employee's disability. Federal agencies are required to "give full consideration to hiring, placement, and advancement of qualified mentally and physically handicapped persons?' Reasonable accommodations include, but are not limited to: making facilities readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities; job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules; acquisition or modification of equipment or devices; appropriate adjustment or modification of examinations; and, the provision of readers and interpreters, and other similar actions.

1974 - The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) This act requires public schools to provide a free and appropriate public education to all children, regardless of disabilities. It also provides due process rights for all children with disabilities and their parents, ensuring free, fair and unbiased assessment, placement and programming for students with special needs. IDEA mandates: Individualized educational plans (IEPS) for student receiving services under IDEA parental involvement in all decisions about the education of students with special needs.

1990- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The ADA, signed into law July 26, 1990, bans discrimination based on disability. This landmark legislation provides civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities by guaranteeing them equal opportunity employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications relay services.