Introduction

The Education Act of 1944 (GB. MoE, 1944) was a landmark of great significance for all children, including those with a handicapping condition. The principle of the Act was that education was to be available according to age, ability and aptitude within a broad concept that included concern for children’s physical, moral and spiritual development. At this point, ten categories of handicap were defined and authorities were required to ascertain which children needed special education because of being affected by one or more of these handicapping conditions.