What led to the enactment of PL 94-142 in 1975?

The enactment of PL 94-142, known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, was influenced significantly by the legal recognition of disability rights. Before this law, many children with disabilities, including those who were deaf or hard of hearing, did not receive adequate educational opportunities and were often excluded from public education systems. The legal framework established by PL 94-142 mandated that all children with disabilities be granted free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment.

The law represented a monumental shift in how society viewed the rights of individuals with disabilities, emphasizing their right to education and ensuring that schools make necessary accommodations. This acknowledgment of disability rights was part of a broader civil rights movement, where various groups fought for their rights and for equality in access to education and services.

While advocacy efforts from deaf advocacy groups, funding needs for education programs, and research supporting inclusive education contributed to the broader context, it was the legal recognition of disability rights that led directly to the establishment of PL 94-142. This recognition laid important groundwork for later legislation, ensuring that children with disabilities receive the educational resources and support necessary for their development and success.