Special Education Matters

How a society treats its at risk population is a barometer which measures the greatness or mediocrity of the people in that society. Until the mid 70’s although a child was required to attend school, the public schools could deny a child access to an education by certifying that the child could not benefit from a free education. In the 70’s parents went to jail trying to enroll their disabled children in public schools. Special Education and a child’s right to a free and appropriate education irrespective of the handicapping condition and irrespective of the cost is a recent, by education who never leads but always follows, phenomena. And can you think of anyone more in need of advocacy than a disabled child? It is with this in mind that I have striven for the better part of fifty years to provide disabled children and then adults with opportunities which will maximize their quality of life.