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American School for the Deaf
Wikipedia
The American School for the Deaf is founded in Hartford, Connecticut. Became the first school of primary and secondary education to receive aid from the federal government when it was granted a tract of land in the Alabama territory. -
Perkins School for the Blind
Perkins Museum
First school established for the blind in the United States. Opened 1832 in South Boston as the New England Asylum for the Blind, with Samuel G. Howe as its director. As the first school established for the blind in the United States, Perkins plays an important role in the history of education in America. More than 175 years ago, Perkins’ Founders were committed to opening the doors to education, literacy, and independence for people who are blind and deafblind. -
Dorothea Dix begins her work on behalf of people with disabilities incarcerated in jails and poorhouses.
Wikipedia
Dorothea Dix visited an East Cambridge jail and was appalled to see mentally ill women confined alongside hardened criminals. The 40-year-old teacher and writer had been exposed to the work of English reformers, and now she embarked on a campaign to ensure humane treatment for the mentally ill in America. She began by documenting conditions in Massachusetts. -
Civil Rights Act; July 2, 1964
Text of Document
The Civil Rights Act, signed by President Johnson, prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin and creed (gender was added later). This Act outlawed discrimination on the basis of race in public accommodations and employment as well as in federally assisted programs.
