American History of Special Education/My Personal History

  • American School for the Deaf Founded

  • Perkins Institution for the Blind Founded

  • Law Mandating Compulsory Education

  • Council for Exceptional Children formed

    First advocacy group for children with disabilities
  • Classification of Autism Introduced

  • Brown v Board of Education

    Separate is NOT equal
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act

    Gave grants to public schools and institutions that established programs to educate students with disabilities
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    Made sure all disabled students have access to education in public schools.
  • Americans With Disabilities Act

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

  • Met a Close Family Friend Who is Blind

    Learned that disabled people are first and foremost people, and how to be helpful without smothering or denying autonomy.
  • I Started Raising Guide Dog Puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind

  • Worked as 1 on 1 Aid

    Supported a 1st grade student and then a kindergarten student who both had autism and related behavioral challenges at school.
  • In a Relationship with Someone Who Uses a Wheelchair

    Became much more aware of issues of accessibility and the importance of universal design.