The subject of the final paper People with Special Needs in the Republic of Croatia - Legal Status and Challenges of Integration analyzes the ways in which society treats people with special needs, and their coping in today's fast-paced rhythm of life. The aim of this paper is to collect information on the changing awareness of society about the way of dealing with people with special needs, and the terms that society uses today. The paper presents the procedures of dealing during the history and ways of dealing with people with special needs in today's society, in order to draw a quality conclusion about how much society has changed. Given that man is valued today according to other qualities than in the past, the position of people with special needs has improved. Man is not only valued for his physical strength, but also for his intellectual abilities, which contribute more to a better life and society, than physical strength. Today, diversity is accepted more than ever. Throughout history, if man was different, and stood out from the rest of society, he was considered an intruder and unwelcome. As the needs of society have evolved, so has the pursuit of progress, and progress is only possible if man allows his mind to accept diversity; difference of opinion, difference of view on the same situation. Today's technology has advanced so much, thanks to the diversity of both individuals and their minds, and intellect. Technology is advancing faster than man and human consciousness. The consciousness of society has changed, but man can always do better and more, but only when diversity is fully accepted and tolerance becomes one of the main values of society.