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American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
In 1886, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is formed. This association is made up of many professionals that work towards inclusion of all people with disabilities in educational and workplace environments. With research, policies, and practices, they work towards spreading awareness of disabilities and how each person have the same rights of others. -
The Beginning
From 1950's to the 1960's there were groups forming, mostly made of parents of students with disabilities, that have been marginalized since 1933. Through these groups, laws began to be made and trainings for teachers started to come around. Funds for educating those with disabilities were also being brought about.
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Division of Handicapped Children and Youth
In 1963, the Office of Education was given a new division, the division being the Division of Handicapped Children and Youth. President John F. Kennedy was behind this important event, with this division, awareness of the lack of inclusion of those was disabilities was brought into light. This allowed for parents of disabled students to join in the fight for civil rights. -
Civil rights
In the 1970's, many states now had responsibility in providing schooling and educational resources for those with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ensured all schools provide accommodations and that all people with disabilities had civil rights. This act made sure that there was inclusion throughout to allow better chances of those with disabilities be allowed in all schools. -
IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed. The IDEA gave those who have disabilities affecting their education or progress, have a Individualized Education Program. This program would be used to monitor a student progress and come up with ways that would benefit them in their educational progress. Many come together to make a plan for success and work together to achieve it. Link text -
Free and Inclusive Education
Prior to 1975, there were many institutions for handicapped children, however, they were costly and had no strict curriculum. The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was implemented, which enforced free and appropriate education for those with disabilities as well as further supporting their civil rights to it. The act allowed for a "least restrictive environment" meaning they weren't forced to go to institutions that isolated them away from other children without disabilities. -
Timothy vs. Rochester School District Ruling
The case involved Timothy who had sever disabilities such as cerebral palsy, blindness, and quadriplegia. The school board denied Timothy educational services saying he would not benefit from it since his disabilities were not just educational disabilities. The ruling was unconstitutional and so now it is implemented that no matter the severity, and IEP must be offered to the child. Link text -
Social Interactions
In the mid 1990's, professional shed light on the social interactions between students with disabilities and those who did not have disabilities. The merging of all students impacts education positively because neither one is ostracized or feeling fear of being left behind. Those without disabilities also become familiar with the challenges those with disabilities go through and become aware of how inclusion can help them. Link text -
Revisions to IDEA
In 1997, the IDEA was reviewed and revisions were made to emphasis the use of IEPs, or individualized education plans. They were introduced before, but the use of them were low. With the new revisions, a more progressive resources was created. ITPs or individualized transition plans, are meant to help students be prepared for their adult lives with a set of skills to be on their own. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act is implemented as a resources for children falling behind in the academic years. Extra educational assistance is provided. This law helps those with disabilities not feel out of place as their peers continue to the next year of schooling while they are still in the same place they have been. This provides more progress and improvement of practices to benefit the schools as a whole.
