The document provides an overview of the history of disabilities and special education. It discusses how people with disabilities were often mistreated or neglected in the past. Federal laws like IDEA and ADA were passed to protect and support students with disabilities. Special education aims to provide individualized services like specialized instruction in the least restrictive environment possible. The challenges are to continue finding solutions that meet each student's unique needs through family and student partnerships.

6. Special Education Categories for Classifying Disabilities Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Visual impairment Traumatic brain injury Other health impairments Specific learning disability Speech or language impairment Orthopedic impairment Multiple disabilities Mental retardation Hearing impaired Emotional disturbance Deafness Deaf-blindness Autism