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First Public School for Disabilities Opened
Charles Michel L'Epee opened the first public school for the deaf in Paris. It was known as the Institution Nationale des sourds-muets de Paris, or National Deaf-Dumb Institute of Paris. L'Epee's main focus was teaching language and phonetics, and his school opening made way for many other schools to be opened throughout the world for varying disabilities. -
14th Amendment Passed
This amendment mainly grants citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the U.S. However, it also state that no state can deny equal protection of the laws to anyone within its jurisdiction. Children with disabilities have been denied equal protection in many aspects including education, and this amendment allowed for many changes to be made to give these children equal opportunities. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Youtube Brown vs. Board of Education Explained
This Supreme Court case ruled that segregated schools on the basis of race are unconstitutional. It shows that segregated schools in any sense such as race and disability were inherently unequal and deprives students of equal protection. This case allowed others to make lawsuits for excluding children with disabilities. -
ESEA Passed
U.S. Department of Education
This act addresses inequalities within education for underprivileged children and provides resources for these children. It includes a grant program to assist children with disabilities and ensure they have a proper education. This program was replaced with the Education of the Handicapped Act. -
PARC Case
The Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania fought for children with disabilities to have the right to a free and public education (FAPE). Educational placement decisions must now include parent involvement as well as the right to due process. This case led to 37 other cases following facing similar issues with the education of children with disabilities. -
Congressional Investigation
Through their investigation Congress found that millions of children with disabilities were not receiving a proper education. 1.75 million children were found receiving no educational services and 2.5 million children receiving an inappropriate education. These numbers are astonishing compared to the 8 million children who were in need of these services. The investigation showed that more work must be implemented and required. -
Mills Case
Mills vs. Board of Education of District of Columbia fought against suspending, expelling, and excluding children with disabilities without due process of law. These actions were mainly taking place due to insufficient funding and administrative inefficiency to educate these students. This case also reinforces the ideas of the PARC case of children with disabilities having the right to a free and public education (FAPE). -
Rehabilitation Act 1973
Section 504 under this act protects students from discrimination within education. The goal is to give students with disabilities equal access in education as non-disabled students. It ensures that students are educated in the least restricted environment (LRE) and provides accommodations such as assistive technology, interpreters, and extended test time. -
Public Law 94-142
This law was created with the purpose of all children with disabilities having the right to an education. It guarantees a free and public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) as well as an individual education plan (IEP) for students to reach goals and receive the resources they need. It is also known as the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975. -
IDEA 2004
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was amended into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. Accountability, reading, early intervention, and research-based instruction were all emphasized. The act's main purposes are to provide an education that meets each child's needs and prepares them for the future, and protect the rights of children with disabilities.