-
First Special Education School in the US
The Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons was the first permanent school for deaf individuals in America. The school provided instruction in sign language, math, reading, writing, geography, history, and the Bible. The American School for the Deaf was the model for education of the deaf for much of the 19th century. -
Compulsory Education (not) for All
Rhode Island was the first state to have compulsory education in 1840 and compulsory education was provided in all existing states by 1918. However, children with disabilities were often still excluded from public schools until 1975 when the Education of All Handicapped Children Act was passed. -
First School for Retarded (Publicly Funded)
The Experimental School for Teaching and Training Idiotic Children began operation in Massachusetts in 1848. It is considered the oldest publicly funded institution for the retarded in the country. -
School for the Deaf and Blind Opens
The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind offered educational programs for hearing impaired and visually impaired students respectively. The school opened on September 29, 1870 with thirty students, twenty-five deaf and five blind students. Presently, there is a unit for deaf-blind and multi-handicapped children and students are eligible to enroll at the age of three. The campus has grown to include 16 major buildings situated on seventy-nine acres of land. -
AAIDD Founded
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities was founded in 1876. The AAIDD is the oldest professional association concerned with intellectual and developmental disabilities. AAIDD advocates for the equality, dignity, and human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and for their full inclusion and participation in society. -
Council for Exceptional Children is Organized
The International Council for the Education of Exceptional Children is organized by a group of administrators and supervisors at the Teachers College at Columbia University and begins with 12 members. The CEC members are dedicated to advancing the success of individuals with disabilities. Currently, the CEC is a professional association of educators that engage in advocacy, standards, and professional development to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. -
First Special Olympics Games Held
The first International Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago in 1968. A PE teacher had an idea for a one-time Olympic-style athletic competition for individuals with disabilities. At this first game, the formation of Special Olympics was announced. Presently, Special Olympics is an international organization created to help people with intellectual disabilities develop self-confidence, social skills, and a sense of personal accomplishments. https://youtu.be/cGlrCsbIUtg -
HCEEAA
Handicapped Children’s Early Education Assistance Act provided for the establishment of 75-100 model programs designed to develop successful approaches in assisting preschool aged children with disabilities. The act authorized the Commissioner of Education, through the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped, to make contracts and grants to public and private agencies and organizations for the establishment of experimental preschool and early education programs for children with disabilities. -
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits the exclusion of people on the basis of disability in programs conducted, financed, and employed by the Federal Government. This civil rights law applies to students in public elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools. Section 504 requires that school districts provide a FAPE to qualified students who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
https://www.browardschools.com/ese-support -
Education for all Handicapped Children Act
The EHA was signed into law in 1975. This act required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education and for children with physical and mental disabilities. The law was passed to meet four goals including ensuring special education services are available, guaranteeing that decisions about services are fair and appropriate, establishing specific management and auditing requirements, and providing federal funds to help states educate students with disabilities. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability (both mental and physical medical conditions). The ADA imposes accessibility requirements on public accommodations. Title II is the section of the ADA that is most applicable to public schools. The Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education enforces the ADA requirements in public schools. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 1990
IDEA ensures students with a disability are provided with FAPE that is specific to the students’ individual needs. A reauthorization of EHA. IDEA is composed of four parts. Part A covers the general provisions of the law; Part B covers assistance for education for all children with disabilities; Part C covers infants and toddlers with disabilities; and Part D consists of the national support programs administered at the federal level. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004
The IDEA 2004 is a reauthorization of the IDEA 1990. IDEA 1990 was revised to align with the requirement of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) including requirement of highly qualified teachers, establishment of goals, and assessment levels. This act mandates equity, accountability and excellence in education for children with disabilities. https://youtu.be/3XMndYNEGFA http://www.fldoe.org/academics/exceptional-student-edu/beess-resources/individuals-with-disabilities-edu-act-/
