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American School for the Deaf
The First school for deaf students that was established in the United States. An important piece of history by providing students opportunities for education and providing them with tools to communicate. -
Perkins Institution for the Blind opens
The first school for blind in the U.S. opens in Massachusetts. Blind and deafblind would have an opportunity to attend school that would teach them reading, writing, and mathematics. Students were taught to use their sense of touch to compensate for their lack of sight. -
Council for Exceptional Children
CEC is a professional association that was created by a group of students to discuss ways to help students with disabilities. The main purpose is to help improve educational outcomes for students with exceptionalities. This is an important piece to history because it is responsible for setting professional standards and providing professional development. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Ruling that legally ended decades of racial segregation in America's public schools. It was an education ruling laid the foundation for the 1975 federal law requiring access to a free appropriate public education for all children with disabilities. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA)
EHA Public Law 94-142 mandated free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities from 3-21. EHA ensures due process rights, mandated IEPs and a Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). This gave all students regardless of their disability opportunities for free education. -
Handicapped Children's Protection Act
HCPA builds on the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. It adds details concerning legal costs for individuals who prevail in a lawsuit. HCPA also gives parents of children with disabilities more say in the development of their child’s IEP as well as keeps parents informed of decisions regarding their education. Parental involvement is essential for students’ success. -
The Assistive Technology Act
An Act implemented to promote awareness of and access to assistive technology devices and services. AT can make it possible to fully participate in education and daily activities. The Act covers people with disabilities of all ages, all disabilities, in all environments. Technology is a resource that can be expensive but can impact students learning, therefore it is important for them to have access to. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. ADA is an equal opportunity law that ensures people with special needs will have equal rights as everybody else regardless of their disability. This is essential to give everyone with a disability equal opportunity to participate and enjoy life. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
United States Congress reauthorized EHA and changed the title to IDEA (public Law 102-119). Developing an Individual transition plan (ITP) became a required part of an IEP to help the student transition to post-secondary life. IDEA plays an important role in ensuring students with disabilities have the same equal opportunity to free and appropriate educate in an environment with peers as much as possible. -
IDEA Reauthorized
Preserves the basic structure of IDEA but makes changes to that will help improve students’ education and opportunity for success. The changes implement greater accountability for teachers by raising the standards for those that teach special education. Identifying at risk students and provide needed support early through early intervention and help increased opportunities for success.