OCDE Newsroom

How the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act shaped inclusive education over 50 years

Madeline Gray November 10, 2025

Passed in 1975, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act guaranteed that every child with a disability has the right to a free and appropriate public education — transforming how schools support students and forming special education for generations.

OC Arts and Disability director Marleena Barber and Bowers Museum President Sean O'Harrow attend the Arts on the Move opening reception on July 13.

Arts on the Move exhibit celebrates student artists with disabilities at Bowers Museum

Madeline Gray July 16, 2025

Now on display at the Bowers Museum through Friday, July 18, the free Arts on the Move exhibit showcases expressive artwork by student artists with disabilities from across Orange County. The traveling show is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in recognition of Disability Pride Month.

OCDE’s Connections partners with Fullerton Head Start to expand DHH with disabilities program

Nathaniel Martinez May 15, 2025

Quick look: OCDE’s Connections program has expanded its Deaf and Hard of Hearing with Disabilities services to preschoolers through a...

A Huntington Beach Union High School District student, right, high-fives a Westcliff University student-athlete during Inclusive Sports Day at Edison High School.

Weekly roundup: Inclusive Sports Day celebrates students in Huntington Beach, Fullerton students shine in K-pop competition, and more

Vicky Nguyen April 25, 2025

More than 200 students from three Huntington Beach Union High School District campuses gathered at Edison High School on April...

WATCH: OCDE’s Connections launches first of its kind DHH with disabilities program

Nathaniel Martinez January 29, 2025

For decades, the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) has served both students who are deaf or hard of hearing...

Venture Academy students run the Venture Coffee Cats business at George Key School. (Courtesy of Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District)

Weekly roundup: Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified program brews up student-run coffee business, Westminster High donates to OC Food Bank, and more

Madeline Gray October 4, 2024

In the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, Venture Academy students are blending fresh cups of coffee with real-world skills as...

How the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act shaped inclusive education over 50 years

Arts on the Move exhibit celebrates student artists with disabilities at Bowers Museum

OCDE’s Connections partners with Fullerton Head Start to expand DHH with disabilities program

Weekly roundup: Inclusive Sports Day celebrates students in Huntington Beach, Fullerton students shine in K-pop competition, and more

WATCH: OCDE’s Connections launches first of its kind DHH with disabilities program

Weekly roundup: Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified program brews up student-run coffee business, Westminster High donates to OC Food Bank, and more

OC Arts and Disability Festival honors William Allen Young and Paula Dunn for their contributions

WATCH: OCDE unveils new name for Special Schools program

OCDE students express gratitude for veterans in Memorial Day Essay Contest

OCDE Adult Transition Program students win agricultural awards at OC Fair’s Imaginology