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The American School for the Deaf
The American School for the Deaf was founded in West Hartford, Connecticut. This was the first school for children with disabilities established in the United States. This school is currently still in operation with an attendance of 174 students, ranging in the kindergarten to twelfth-grade level. -
Invention of Braille
Louis Braille, a blind Frenchman, invented Braille when he was only 15 years old. Braille is a universally accepted system of writing used by and for blind persons. However, it would take the United States almost 30 years later to incorporate this invention at the Missouri School for the Blind in 1860. We continue to use this writing system in current times. -
Perkins School for the Blind
Perkins School for the Blind was founded in Watertown, Massachusetts. This is the first school for the blind in the United States. In current times Perkins educates approximately 200 students on campus every year. -
Gallaudet University
Founded in 1864, Gallaudet University began as a grammar school for both students with deafness and students with visual impairments. It was the first higher education system in the world established for students with disabilities. Currently, it is the only higher education institution in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students. -
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. The Council for Exceptional Children is the first advocacy group for children with disabilities. The CEC focuses largely on ensuring children with special needs receive a fair and appropriate education (FAPE) in an LRE. -
The Bradley Home
The Bradley Home was established in East Providence, Rhode Island. This was the nation's first neuropsychiatric hospital for children. This hospital is still in operation. -
National Association for Retarded Citizens
The National Association for Retarded Citizens was formed in 1950. Now known as ARC, this organization helped with litigation and making sure that all parts of the judicial process were met. NARC was one of the first grassroots organizations formed by a small group of parents that advocated for their own children. This organization worked to lobby for the rights of individuals with disabilities to receive education, attend preschools and daycares, and the right to work. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act
This legislation defines what a handicapped person is and the concept of appropriate education. This federal law also prohibited discrimination against students with disabilities in federally funded programs. It also approved grants to states for vocational rehabilitation services, supported employment, independent living, and client assistance. -
Educational Amendments Act
This act granted federal funds to states for programming for exceptional learners. Students and families were also granted the right to due process in special education placement. This act stated that educational programs and activities (admissions, counseling, discipline, etc.) that receive educational funds must operate in a nondiscriminatory manner. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Also known as the Mainstreaming Law, this law required states to provide a free and appropriate public education for children with disabilities (aged 5 to 18). This law also required individualized education programs (IEPs) for all students with disabilities. The concept of the least restrictive environment was also defined. -
Board of Education v. Rowley
Amy Rowley was a deaf child that performed better than most in her mainstream classroom & was easily advancing in LRE. During an IEP meeting, Amy’s parents requested the school provide Amy with a qualified sign-language interpreter in all of her classes, asserting that under the IDEA, such measures were deemed appropriate. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals supported that a school district does not have to “maximize” each disabled child’s potential. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
This law renames and replaces P.L. 94-142 (EAHCA). IDEA extends special education services to include social work, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services. The six main categories covered in IDEA are: free appropriate public education (FAPE), least restrictive environment (LRE), individualized education, nondiscriminatory evaluation, due process, and zero reject/child find.
