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American School for the Deaf
The first deaf school in the US was established in West Hartford, Connecticut by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet. It was the first school to receive aid from the government at $300,000. The school today serves ages 3-21 and has many inclusive programs available.
https://www.asd-1817.org/ -
Perkins School for the Blind
The first blind school in the US was established in South Boston by Samuel Gridley Howe. Howe created his own system for printing and reading and perfected the mechanical braille typewriter. Helen Keller was Perkin's best-known student, whom is highly regarded around the world for her efforts to assure full rights of all people, regardless of disabilities. The school moved to many different locations before finding its current home in Watertown, MA.
https://www.perkins.org/ -
Council for Exceptional Children
The CEC was founded by a group of 12 educators dedicated to improving the educational success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. This organization advocates for governmental policies, sets professional standards, and provides professional development. CEC is known as the main source for special educators.
https://exceptionalchildren.org/ -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a Supreme Court case in which the justices ruled that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. This case overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson case which said that "separate is not equal." The results of this case were a stepping stone to equality for all children, regardless of race or disability.
https://youtu.be/1siiQelPHbQ -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
This law, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, brought funds to primary and secondary education for professional development, instructional materials, resources to support educational programs, and the promotion of parental involvement. The government has reauthorized the act every five years since its enactment. It was reauthorized as the Every Student Succeeds Act by President Obama on December 10, 2015.
https://youtu.be/89BQWzKY-wA -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the US. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal financial assistance. This law works together with the ADA and IDEA to protect children and adults with disabilities from exclusion.
https://youtu.be/pxx6rQqIjpY -
Education For All Handicapped Children Act
This act ensures children with mental or physical disabilities in public schools will get one free meal each school day and access to education. A lesson plan must be created for each type of student and administrative procedures provided. PL 94-142 also contains a provision that disabled students should be placed in the least restrictive environment (one that allows the maximum possible opportunity to interact with non-impaired students.)
https://youtu.be/66g6TbJbs2g -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA is law divided into 5 titles and prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. "An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered."
https://www.ada.gov/ -
IDEA
Previously EHA, IDEA makes available a free and appropriate public education and related services to eligible children with disabilities. IDEA is composed of six main elements: Individualized Education Program (IEP); Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE); Least Restrictive Environment (LRE); Appropriate Evaluation; Parent and Teacher Participation; and Procedural Safeguards. IDEA also authorizes grants to support special education and related services. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ -
No Child Left Behind Act
This act holds schools accountable by requiring annual standardized tests. The goal is to close all achievement gaps and to give students proper teachers. Under this act, teachers must be certified and demonstrate mastery.
https://youtu.be/0--2nhsDorg
