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American School for the Deaf and Dumb
The Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb Persons. This was the first permanent school for deaf and dumb, or not able to speak. The school’s initial catalyst was Mason Fitch Cogswell, whose daughter Alice was deaf after contracting meningitis. Shortly after, a politician named Sylvester Gilbert, also advocated for the school. His five deaf children attended the school as well. -
Willowbrook State School
Willowbrook State School was a state-supported school for children with intellectual disabilities. While at one time, the biggest state run institution, due to questionable medical practices the establishment was closed in 1987. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of EducationBrown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a Supreme Court case in which segregated public schools were found unconstitutional. As a facilitator for many major civil rights victories, the case was started by Oliver Brown, an African-American man, whose daughter had to walk six blocks to her school bus stop despite the fact that there was a segregated white school seven blocks of her home. -
Community Mental Health Act
The Community Mental Health Act of 1963, originally called the Mental Retardation Facilities Construction Act, was established to provide federal funding for community mental health centers in the United States for children and adults with mental retardation. As part of John F. Kennedy’s “New Frontier” grants were given to establish centers as an alternative to institutionalization. -
Library Services and Constructinom Act Amendments, 1966
Library Services and Construction Act Amendment of 1966 revised original laws that provided assistance for students with physical or mental disabilities who were in residential school. Part B included federal funds were available to state agencies for library services. -
Special Olympics first takes place
Eunice Kennedy ShriverThe Special Olympics is the largest international sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Year-round training and competitions are offered to more than 4.4 million athletes. -
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was an influential lawsuit that advocated the right to education. The Court’s verdict was the groundwork for the establishment of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504)
Rehabilitation Act presentationThe Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that extends the authorization of grants to the states for vocational rehabilitation services. The law also aims to increase Federal responsibilities, research, and training programs while prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability such as in the Americans with Disabilities Act. -
The Americans with Disabilities Act
Americans with DisabilitiesThe Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a civil rights law that outlaws discrimination based on a disability. The law requires covered employers to offer reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, including TDD/telephone relay services. -
No Child Left Behind
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is an Act of Congress that requires states to create evaluations in basic needs for all students. President Bush agreed to further involve the federal role in closing the gap between disabled, disadvantaged, and minority students and their peers. -
IDEA 2004
IDEA 2004The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004) is a law that demands fairness, accountability and excellence in education for children with disabilities. The law authorizes grants to states for research, technology and training. Originating in 1975, IDEA was established to ensure all students received free and appropriate public education. Many revisions have been made since then including the requirement of researched based interventions.
