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First Disabilities School
The American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons was the very first permanent school for students that are deaf and have other disabilities. This school was the first disabilities school that received funding from the government and still exists to this day under a different name, American School for the Deaf. This was the beginning of making accommodations for special needs students in schools. -
CEC
The Council for Exceptional Children is a national organization which advocates for children with special needs. This organization has fought to create government policies, advocate for individuals who cannot advocate for themselves and underserved families. CEC provides resources for families and also provide professional development for teachers. The organization was formed in 1922 and still exists today. -
Brown V Board of Education
Brown V Board of Education is a milestone supreme court case that declared that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This landmark case set the stage for all students to have an equal right to their education, which includes students with disabilities. This case overturned the “Separate but Equal Act”, and began the fight for equality for all in education by stating that separate educational facilities are unequal.
Learn more: https://youtu.be/NBlqcAEv4nk?si=V337RkCevGw7B3fN -
Mills V Board of Education
This was a landmark case that represented a group of seven children that were denied public education due to their disabilities. The school district claimed that they could not accommodate these students’ disabilities due to financial struggles, so they were denied access to the schools. The court ruled that schools cannot deny access to education just because of financial restraints, and they determined that all students are deserving of the right to an education. -
The Ed. for All Handicapped Children Act
Marks the first time that schools receiving federal funding were required to provide a free and equal education for students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Schools were required to provide support and services that were tailored to the individual student’s needs. IEPs were introduced with this act, which is an educational plan that outlines any accommodations, services, and the general education goals for students with disabilities. -
ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was the first step which addressed the needs of people living with disabilities. The ADA protects people from discrimination in many places, including schools and universities. With the ADA, schools are required to provide students with reasonable accommodations for their needs, which may include more time to take exams, using assistive technology, and making buildings accessible for all with ramps, elevators, etc. -
NCLB
The No child Left Behind Act was in effect from 2002-2015, and it held schools to a high standard of how students were learning improving, which included students with special needs. NCLB had a focus on how disadvantaged students were progressing. NCLB included testing, reporting, and consequences for underachieving schools or schools that did not show any improvement. In 2015, NCLB was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act. -
ATA
The Assistive Technology Act provides assistive technology to students with disabilities, so that they can stay in the mainstream classroom, which is the least restrictive environment. This act was originally passed in 1988, but has been adjusted to today’s technologies. The assistive technology needs would be outlined in the student’s IEP which can accommodate the student in the general classroom education, testing, and more. https://www.parentcenterhub.org/ata/ -
IDEIA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act is a revised act originally the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Revisions include testing and finding resources before the child begins school, utilizing the least restrictive environment so special needs students are with their peers in a mainstream classroom environment, and an IEP must be implemented and revised yearly with obtainable goals for the student. -
Endrew F. V Douglas County School District
This case marked the modification for the IEP to have attainable and reasonable goals for students to progress. Endrew was a student diagnosed with autism and ADHD, and he was not progressing in public school, so his parents sent him to private school where he began to progress. However, the parents needed to send Endrew pack to public school due to financial concerns, and he stopped progressing again. The Supreme Court ruled that IEPs need to be reasonably calculated and attainable.