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An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen
This was the first federal law about care of people with disabilities. It required all seamen to have twenty cents deducted from their wages to help pay for the medical costs of seamen that were sick or disabled. -
First Public Special Education Class
Rhode Island Opened first public special education class in U.S. This class was for students with disabilities, and was the first time that special classes with specialized teachers were utilized in the United States. -
First Special Olympics Games
The First Special Olympics games took place in Chicago. The games have continued since then, providing an opportunity for extra-curricular activities for people with Intellectual Disabilities. The focus of Special Olympics is the abilities of individuals, rather than the disabilities.
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Willowbrook: The Last Disgrace
Willowbrook: The Last Disgrace airs on ABC news. This expose showed the horrific conditions at the Willowbrook institution. This news story led to public outcry to change the conditions of state institutions, and paved a path for legislation and a class action lawsuit for the residents. The institution stayed open until 1987 when the last child finally left the grounds of the school.
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Rehabilition Act - Section 504
This act is inclusive of all people with disabilities both in the school setting and in the work setting. It was originally created for Veterans, but now includes all people with disabilities. Section 504 covers all federally funded programs and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Section 504 can also allow students to get accommodations in the school setting who do not qualify in one of the 13 disability categories in IDEA. -
Public Law 94-142
This act established Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), which guaranteed just that for students with disabilities. This greatly expanded the educational opportunities for people with disabilities from ages 3 to 21. -
Education for the Handicapped Act - Individuals with Disabilites Education Act
Education for the Handicapped Act is renamed Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It also included amendments that required IEPs to include transition plans that focused on the transition from high school services to adult living. The amendment required transition plans to start when a student is 14 years old. This change to IDEA also had a focus on supporting culturally diverse students with disabilities. -
Americans with Disabilites Act
This act covers people with disabilities in public places. This is the law that requires things such as handicap parking spaces, ramps, and codes to make buildings accessible to people with disabilities. -
No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind Act raises expectations and accountability of special education, including standardized testing for students on a modified curriculum, and holding schools accountable if progress is not made with special education students. -
IDEA (2004)
The 2004 reauthorization of IDEA included revisions in the identification of students with Learning Disabilities (moving away from IQ-Discrepancy models), stronger measurable IEP goals, more rigorous standards, looked at disproportionate representation in special education and more. It also put more emphasis on services in grades K-3 for early intervention for students with disabilities. This reauthorization is what is still in effect today.
