9.2: The History of Physical and Health Disabilities

Each physical and health disability category has a unique history. However, it was not until the 19th century that physicians began to understand the underlying causes of disorders such as cerebral palsy and epilepsy and the impact of viruses such as polio that resulted in physical and health disabilities. Before IDEA, many children with physical and health disabilities were denied access to a public education or segregated from their peers. Most school buildings could not accommodate wheelchairs or students with limited mobility. However, in 1975, the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act guaranteed a free and appropriate public education for children with disabilities in the United States. This law included the concept of educating students in the least restrictive environment that also meets each student’s educational needs. This law laid the groundwork for the programs we see in public schools today. Moreover, these disability categories continue to evolve as we learn more about different diseases and as new viruses emerge (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus, Zika, and coronavirus) that may result in the development of physical and health disabilities in children.

Activity \(\PageIndex{1}\): Disability Services at the University of Illinois

Directions: Read about the history of Disability Services at the University of Illinois. The University of Illinois was the first post-secondary institution to provide a support service program enabling students with disabilities to attend. What new opportunities did this program provide to students with physical and health disabilities?