“If im not for myself who will be with me?”

1. “If im not for myself who will be with me?” The future of children

2. “All men are created equal”? The truth behind United States education system • 18% percent of Americans have some form of disability. • American schools educated only about one in five students with disabilities. • Almost 4 million children with disabilities were denied meaningful participation in the public education. Nearly half of these children were excluded entirely from public high schools.

4. Struggle for human rights • Before the enactment of a public law that reassured equal opportunities for children with disabilities. the fate of many individuals with disabilities was likely to be dim. • Too many individuals lived in state institutions for persons with mental retardation or mental illness. • In 1967, for example, state institutions were homes for almost 200,000 persons with significant disabilities. Many of these restrictive settings provided only minimal food, clothing, and shelter.

5. The public school system in this country is far from perfect, and when it comes to providing for the needs of disabled children, many districts struggle to keep up with individualized programs necessary to enhance the development of these children. • Many states had laws that explicitly excluded children with certain types of disabilities from attending public school, including children who were blind, deaf, and children labeled "emotionally disturbed" or "mentally retarded. • Parents were sometimes forced to send their children to institutions and forever forget their existence, it was as though disabled children had to be abandoned from society.

7. People build up prejudice against those with disabilities. • If you were born “less equal” to others then you wouldn’t fit into society. In many cases with mental and physical disabilities parents gave up their children to avoid censure. • Raising children with disabilities was exceptionally difficult before the 70’s. The society refused to recognize those who were in need, and did not provide extra attention to their needs such as special buses, stair cases, schools, stores, etc. • Having a physical disability also meant limited options in the work industry. No one wanted to hire those who were different.

8. After the passing of individuals with disabilities education act

9. In defining the purpose of special education, IDEA 2004 clarifies Congress’ intended outcome for each child with a disability: students must be provided a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that prepares them for further education, employment and independent living. • Because of the creation of IDEA children with disabilities now have the opportuinity to get a free and worthwhile education, unlike before. Also this edcuation provided now has to fit each child individually depending on his or her situation. • As of 2006, more than 6 million children in the U.S. receive special education services through IDEA. • After the passing of this act, mentally challenged, retarded and etc kids now have a free appropriate public education that prepares them for further education, employment and independent living. It gives them a real fighting chance at life. • Also with accordance with IDEA a law was passed in 2008, requiring that additional nursing care is a related service that the distict must provide. This was not here in earlier years.

10. Financial aspect of IDEA • After the government passed IDEA, financial backing poured in, in support of this program and all related services it provides. • The education, support, and care for a ill child is no longer the sole responsibility of the parent. Thanks to IDEA they now have quality help from the government. • In 2009 Following a campaign promise for "funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act", President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) on February 17, 2009, including $12.2 billion in additional funds. • IDEA is getting huge support nationwide and is a huge success. Yet looking back, before IDEA none of this was present, no money for care, no quality education, nothing.

12. Timeline • Introduced in the Senate asby Sen. Tom Harkin on October 31, 1989 • Committee consideration by: Committee on Labor and Human Resources • Passed the Senate on November 16, 1989 • Passed the House on June 18, 1990 • Reported by the joint conference committee on October 1, 1990; • Agreed to by the Senate on October 2, 1990 • and by the House on October 15, 1990 • Signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on October 30, 1990