The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed. It includes many provisions to meet the needs of special individuals, such as requiring schools to provide devices in which to assist individuals with disabilities to increase or maintain their functional capability. Special programs for transition were established and a new structure for developing IEP's and ITP's was put forth.

The Americans with Disabilities Act banned discrimination based on disability and guaranteed equal opportunities for these individuals regardless of whether or not federal funds are involved in employment, public accommodation, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. This act is one of the most comprehensive ever to identify and protect the civil rights of Americans with disabilities.

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act authorized the largest amount of federal funds ever for vocational education. This was to assist states and local systems to teach the skills necessary to work in a technologically advanced society. Another goal was to provide greater opportunities to disadvantaged individuals. The act provided funds to develop Tech Prep programs as well as allotted greater flexibility to state and local agencies on how to best use funds to serve special populations.

Read the biography of Representative Carl D. Perkins of Kentucky (1912-1984).