Special Education Day is observed annually on December 2nd and commemorates the anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which was signed into law by U.S. President Ford on December 2, 1975.

This act made public education available to all eligible children throughout the U.S. and ensured that special education was made available to the children who needed it. Although this act wasn’t perfect, it was a significant step forward for special education.

The History of Special Education Day

Special Education Day was first observed on December 2, 2005, on the 30th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It has since been observed every year as an important way to open up communication about how to advance special education to make it more available and better suited to more children.

Facts About Special Education

As we researched Special Education Day, we came across some statistics that we’d like to share with everyone reading this article. Let’s dig into some of these statistics before moving on to how this observance day can be celebrated.

• In the U.S. in 2017, 13.7% of public school students were served by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• A French physician during the late 18th and early 19th century named Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard is credited as the father of special education.
• Nearly four times as many boys as girls are diagnosed with a learning disability. This is likely due to many girls being unidentified or untreated as having a learning disability.
• Special education laws do not extend to post-secondary schooling.
• Thomas Edison, Bill Gates, Walt Disney, and Albert Einstein are just some of the famous people who had special educational needs and/or a learning disability.

Observing Special Education Day

Special Education Day can be observed by taking a few moments to think about the contributions the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has made to the field of education in the U.S. Teachers can also prepare special lesson plans on or around this day to introduce IDEA to their students. People can also spread the word about this holiday by using the hashtag #SpecialEducationDay.