Final answer:
The most significant civil rights litigation tied to the education of learners with disabilities is the case of Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia, which established a precedent for universal access to education for students with disabilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most significant civil rights litigation tied to the education of learners with disabilities is the case of Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia. In this 1972 U.S. District Court decision, seven school-age children with special needs argued that the school board was denying them access to free public education. The court ruled in favor of the children, establishing a precedent for universal access to education for students with disabilities.
This case was instrumental in recognizing the rights of students with disabilities and paved the way for further legislation, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990. It emphasized the importance of providing equal educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their disabilities.