How Did You Get Here? Students with Disabilities and Their Amazing Journeys

The relatively recent inclusion or mainstreaming of students with special needs into American education has been nothing short of meteoric. The inside story of this development will be related in this special lecture by one of the country?s well-recognized champions of disability rights. THOMAS F. HEHIR is Professor of Practice in Learning Differences at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. As director of the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs from 1993-1999, Professor Hehir led the federal implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Previously, as associate superintendent of the Chicago public schools, he implemented major changes in special education service delivery and significantly improved that city?s IDEA compliance. He also has served the Boston public schools for several years as Director of Special Education.