Historical Timeline of Special Education

Brown v. Board of Education: Outcome Decided

May 17, 1954

It was decided that in the field of public education the doctrine of "separate but equal'" is not to be welcome. Educational facilities that are separate are not equal.

First Accessibility Design Standard Published

1961

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) published the first accessibility standard, Making Buildings Accessible to and Usable by the Physically Handicapped. By 1973, there were forty-nine states who adopted this legislation.

Community Mental Health Act Signed into Law

Oct 31, 1963

"On October 31, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the Community Mental Health Act... This law led to the establishment of comprehensive community mental health centers throughout the country. It helped people with mental illnesses who were “warehoused” in hospitals and institutions move back into their communities."

Civil Rights Bypasses Persons with Disabilities

Jul 2, 1964

Although the Civil Rights Act is passed and it benefited African Americans and women in the workplace by ending discrimination, it didn't make these same changes for individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities were still unable to participate in society and were unable to be employed due to discrimination.

Medicaid: Help for Low-Income and Disabled

Jun 30, 1965

"Created in 1965, Medicaid is a public insurance program that provides health coverage to low-income families and individuals, including children, parents, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities; it is funded jointly by the federal government and the states. Each state operates its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines."

First International Special Olympics Games

Jul 20, 1968

"Intellectual disabilities were tragically misunderstood... No one imagined that this segment of society could acquire athletic and socialization skills... Then, one day in July 1968, the world began to change. The first Special Olympics competition was held in Chicago’s Soldier Field for young people with intellectual disabilities. The goal was to put a bright—and very public—spotlight on ability, not disability."

Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)

Aug 12, 1968

"The ABA stands as the first measure by Congress to ensure access to the built environment for people with disabilities. The law requires that buildings or facilities that were designed, built, or altered with federal dollars or leased by federal agencies after August 12, 1968 be accessible. Facilities that predate the law generally are not covered, but..."

Rehabilitation Act: Public Entities Can't Discriminate

Sep 26, 1973

"The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ... prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies, in programs receiving federal financial assistance, in federal employment and in the employment practices of federal contractors."

Inaugural People First Convention in Portland, Oregon

1974

"People with disabilities are – first and foremost – people who have individual abilities, interests and needs. They are moms, dads, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, friends, neighbors, coworkers, students and teachers. About 54 million Americans -- one out of every five individuals -- have a disability. Their contributions enrich our communities and society as they live, work and share their lives."

Education for All Handicapped People Act

Nov 30, 1975

"Twenty years later the United States Congress took steps to guarantee the availability of a public education to handicapped children with its enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 ..."

National Council on Disability Established

1978

"NCD is an independent federal agency charged with advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities."

Attention Deficit Disorder Included in the DSM

1980

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a neurological disorder that leads to a variety of behavior like trouble listening to instructions, focusing on schoolwork, completing assignments, etc. Formerly known under a variety of other names, this diagnosis could benefit children struggling in the school setting.

ADAPT Campaigns for Accessible Public Transportation

Oct 23, 1983

"On our arrival at Denver ... the sun was shining and the weather was warm. We were met by Wade Blank, who told us we would be extremely valuable on the picket line outside of the airport ... We were unloaded at the front entrance of the beautiful downtown Hilton and we joined the 25 wheelchair users already on the sidewalk. The set look on the faces of the APTA men as they arrived, and their averted eyes showed we were at least noticed."

Willowbrook State School Shut Down

Sep 17, 1987

"A watershed case in the evolution of the legal rights of people with disabilities to live in dignity arose out of public awareness of the horrific conditions under which children and adults with disabilities were living at the Willowbrook State Developmental Center in New York. This ... served as the impetus for accelerating the pace of community placements for people with developmental disabilities ..."

Assistive Technology Act

1988

"The Assistive Technology Act was first passed by Congress and signed by the President as the Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988 ... The Tech Act is intended to promote people’s awareness of, and access to, assistive technology (AT) devices and services ... [It provides] AT to persons with disabilities, so they can more fully participate in education, employment, and daily activities on a level playing field with other members of their communities."

IDEA Signed into Law by President Bush

Oct 30, 1990

"The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children."