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American School for the Deaf
The American School for the Deaf was founded in Hartford, Connecticut in 1817. The founding of this school was a crucial milestone in the way society related to those with disabilities and would pave the way for future special education endeavors. -
Perkins Institute for the Blind
The Perkins Institute was the first school for students who are blind. This institution would help innovate other schools around the country as well as create a new printing and reading system and become the leader in blind and deaf-blind education. Students such as Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan both attended this school. -
Compulsory Attendance
Massachusetts was the first state to pass a compulsory education law, Vermont followed this in 1867 and other states all began to fall in line shortly after this. By 1918, compulsory education laws were in all states. Although the compulsory education laws were intact, children with disabilities were often excluded from public schools. -
Watson v City of Cambridge
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules that a child who was "weak in mind" and could not benefit from formal instruction, was troublesome to other children, or made "unusual noises," and was unable to take "ordinary, decent, physical care of himself" could be expelled from the public school (Watson v City of Cambridge, 1893) -
White House Conference
The first White House Conference on Children focused attention on children and youth with disabilities. The goal of this conference was to establish programs for children with disabilities or special needs. -
Beattie v Board of Education
Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that school officials could exclude a student with disabilities, even though that student had attended public school until the fifth grade. The student referenced had a condition caused drooling, facial contortions and speech problems. The school reported this condition nauseated teachers and other students and required too much of the teacher's time. (Beattie v Board of Education, 1919) -
Council for Exceptional Children
A professional organization that was centered around the education of children with special needs. Founded in 1922 in Reston, Virginia by faculty and students at Teachers College in Columbia University in New York. This organization is a advocate for rights of children and youth with disabilities and has made many changes to the educational reform practices used today. -
Brown v Board of Education
This was a major court case that led the way for the civil rights movement. This has a major impact for minorities and educational law and procedures entirely. The results from this case made monumental changes in schools and approaches for students of color and also those with disabilities. -
The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps
An organization that has provided major support for individuals with disabilities. The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH) is compromised of teachers, parents, administrators and other service providers. TASH strives to spread information regarding best practices and supporting rights of persons with disabilities. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
This amendment for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was to substitute the term handicap with disability throughout the law. This law categorized disabilities and added two new categories including autism and traumatic brain injury. There was also additions to clarify types of services, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services. This law allows for students with disabilities to get the education they need. -
American Disabilities Act
President Bush signed in the American Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. The ADA is one of America's most extensive acts set into place regarding civil rights legislation that forbids any type of discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else in American society. -
No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act was a reaction to low academic achievement of students and put measurable goals for students to improve in areas such as reading and mathematics. Students with disabilities were included in this act to ensure these students were not left out and would fall under the same accountability requirements. Congress and President Bush believed that if students with disabilities were not under these same standards they would not receive the attention they deserve.
