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Edouard Seguin, M.D.
Seguin was considered the first teacher in the field of disabilities. He was Maria Montessori's inspiration when she began her career as an educator. Seguin relied on sensory training. His work inspired others to start their own schools. He stressed the importance of developing self-reliance and independence among the mentally disabled by giving them a combination of physical and intellectual tasks.
https://www.museumofdisability.org/exhibits/past/pantheon-of-disability-history/edward-seguin/ -
Brown vs. Board of Education (1954)
Following the Supreme Court's ruling on this famous case, parents of students and children with disabilities were successful in arguing that this legislation also pertained to their children and not just children of color. Just as segregating children due to race, segregating children due to disability was found to be inherently damaging to their educational opportunities under the 14th Amendment.
[lLink text} (https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka) -
PARC vs. Pennsylvania (1971)
This Landmark case determined that the Common Wealth of Pennsylvania had denied, due to process and equal rights to children who had intellectual disabilities. School districts were ordered to provide every retarded person ages six to 21 with access to a public program of education and training that is appropriate to the person's learning capabilities.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtFmp3XduaQ -
Rehabilitation ACT of 1973
Congress takes it upon itself to pass the Rehabilitation Act which addresses employment discrimination against veterans with disabilities. This meant that if any program or activity received federal assistance, that said program was not allowed to deny benefits due to disabilities. The special education statutes within the Act address funding for students with special needs -
Education for All P.L. 94-142
Congress passed and President Ford signed into law, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act; also known as P.L. 94-142. It is now called the Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement ACT (IDEA). After meeting certain guidelines, each individual state would be granted federal funding and the opportunity to design their own educational programs.
(https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/president-ford-signs-education-for-all-handicapped-children-act -
The American with Disabilities Act 1990
President George W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act which not only prohibits discrimination in the private sector but also included civil rights protection for people with disability. The Act mandated access to public transportation, communication, and other areas of public life. This ACT also included AIDS as a disability.
Website: www.ada.gov -
The Individuals with Disabilities ACT 1990
This made reference to the preference of the term and use of "disability" rather than "handicapped". Autism & brain injury were also added to eligible disability category list. The law required ramps, elevators, designated parking spots, and include accommodations for the blind and the deaf. It also included the requirement that disabled students be taught inclusive with their non-disabled peers.
Video:https://time.com/5872003/elevator-pitch-accessibility-new-york-citys-subway-system/ -
Individuals w/ Disabilities Education Act
This Act made substantial changes in that it included the use of the IEP (Individual Education Plan). This 1997 amendment included the addition in the category list of developmental delays for children ages 3 - 9 in the following areas: physical development, cognitive development, communication development, social/emotional development, or adaptive development. It also emphasized access to the general education curriculum and participation of statewide assessments; including parents in IEP. -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) 2001
This was an Act of Congress that initially began with President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Act has been revised several times. It helped increase the accountability and flexibility of the use of federal funds, offering individual schools and districts options on how and where to use their funding (so long as certain criteria are met) and implementation of early reading intervention (Title 1) -
Every Child Suceeds Act 2015
This law replaced the NCLB and pertains specifically to K-12 public education. It allows for a more open interpretation by school leaders on defining success and designing individual systems for students. Proponents of the law feel that it is actually a step in the wrong direction for Special Education advocating that safeguards are removed leaving too little accountability to the federal government.
Website: https://www.everystudentsucceedsact.org/