What legislation ensures that all children with disabilities have access to free public education?

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which has evolved into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), was groundbreaking legislation enacted in 1975 that mandated public schools to provide free and appropriate education to all children with disabilities. This law was crucial in establishing the right for children with disabilities to access educational resources, services, and facilities alongside their non-disabled peers.

The act set the foundation for later amendments and enhancements that defined how special education services are to be delivered, emphasizing the importance of individualized education plans (IEPs), parental involvement, and least restrictive environments. Therefore, it effectively ensures that all children with disabilities can receive the education they are entitled to, which is free and public, laying down the core principles that have shaped special education policies in the United States.

While the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is directly linked to the modern enforcement of these principles, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act is historically significant as it marks the inception of this legal framework.