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First school for children with special needs
The American educator Thomas Hopkins founded in 1817 the first school for children with special needs. Originally known as the “American Asylum, At Hartford, for the Education and Instruction of Dead and Dumb”, it served those unable to speak in Hartford, Connecticut. Today, along with the stigmas attached to the community of people with special needs, the name has changed to the American American School for the Deaf. SOURCE -
Council for Exceptional Children
On August 10, 1922, a group of educators organized the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) which would become the largest international professional organization for children and youth with special needs. SOURCE -
Brown v Board of Education
The fight to end segregation has come a long way after Linda Brown’s (the girl in the picture) father sued the education system declaring it unconstitutional to segregate education for people of color. With it, not only people from African American descent could now access the same opportunities as their white peers, but anyone from any background could as well. SOURCE -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
The first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the United States was the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Section 504 stands out within this law, since it works with other programs like ADA and IDEA to protect children and adults with special needs to get the best out of their access to schools, jobs and the community.
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Education for All Handicapped Children's Act of 1975
Also known as EHA, the Education for All Handicapped Children’s Act was signed into federal law in 1975. With this law in place, public schools are required to provide appropriate educational services for all children.
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National Organization on Disability
The International Year of Disabled Persons was in 1981, and following this announcement, the representatives from 48 states decided to start the first organization in the United States to represent people with special needs. That is how the National Organization on Disability was up and running as soon as 1982. Now, their mission is focused on raising awareness of their talents and breaking the barriers to employment for every person with a disability.
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Americans with Disabilities Act
Following the success of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, or nationality), the American with Disabilities Act followed sued and was signed into law in 1990. With this law, people with disabilities have claimed their rightful position in society and enjoy access to employment, purchasing goods and services, and participating in government programs. SOURCE -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Previously known as Education for All Handicapped Children’s Act, in 1990 it changed to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Thanks to this, a free, and appropriate public education is available for children with special needs across the nation, alongside other services they might need.
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No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind was an improvement in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). It holds the educational institutions to better standards of improvement, especially those regarding the students with receiving special education services. SOURCE -
National Association of Special Education Teachers
In 2004, the National Association of Special Education Teachers was founded to meet the needs of special education teachers. Through networking, research, publications, and membership benefits, special education teachers can benefit from a plethora of resources to help their students thrive. SOURCE -
Every Student Succeeds Act
Former President Barack Obama signed in 2015 the Every Student Succeeds Act. Building upon the successes of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind, this law helps in several ways like advancing the protections for disadvantaged and high-need students, and requiring (for the first time) for students to be taught to high academic standards that will prepare them for success later in life. SOURCE
