-
The New England Industrial School for the Education and Instruction of Deaf Mutes
The New England Industrial School for the Education and Instruction of Deaf Mutes began in 1876 and was one of the first schools geared towards helping children who were deaf and hard of hearing in the United States. During the first year, students were taught trades like farming, and homemaking. In 1880, the oral method of instruction included speech and lip-reading was the suggested way to educate deaf children. The school's name changed to Beverly School for the Deaf in 1922. -
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children is an organization of educators and administrators that are committed to empowering and helping children with disabilities and exceptionalism succeed. Their goal and mission is to provide acceptance of diversity and inclusion while promoting professional development opportunities for special educators. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania challenged the legality and justness of excluding individuals with mental retardation from public education and training. The state was not allowed to deny any mentally retarded child access to a free public program of education and training. This was the first right to education suit in the country. This helped secure a quality education for all children. -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
This was another case that involved handicapped children being excluded from public schools. This was similar to the 1971 Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The 1972 Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia required the state to provide adequate alternative services that included prior hearing and periodic review of the child’s status, progress, and the adequacy of any educational alternative. -
Section 504-Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA) (Public Law 93-112, Section 504)
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act was enacted to stop the discrimination against people with disabilities in the United States. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is the federal law that approves grants to states for vocational rehabilitation services, supported employment, independent living, and client assistance. The Rehabilitation Act also includes a set of rules focused on rights, advocacy, and protections for people with disabilities. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act P.L 94-142
This legislation was enacted in 1975 and was put in place to ensure that all children with disabilities receive an appropriate education with special education and related services. It was originally called the Education for All Handicapped Children Act which was later renamed as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1990. This legislation states that students must be placed in the least restrictive environment as possible. -
Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments (Public Law 99-457)
President Reagan signed the 1986 Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments (Public Law 99-457). This act heavily focuses on providing better services to young special needs children. The act establishes early intervention programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities from birth to two years old. This law mandates and requires states to make a free and appropriate public education available to children ages three to five who are disabled. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Public Law 101-476)
This act renames and replaces P.L. 94-142.It establishes “people first” language when referring to those with disabilities.Sped services include social work, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services.It extends provision for due process and confidentiality for students and their parents.Autism and traumatic brain injury became two new categories that are added and identified as disabilities.
https://www.biausa.org/public-affairs/public-policy/individuals-with-disabilities-education-act -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Public Law 101-336)
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination of people with disabilities in the private sector. It allows and protects equal opportunity for employment and public services, accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. The Americans with Disabilities Act issues rules and regulations to provide a safe workplace for people who are disabled. This act also defines people with AIDS as having a disability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq0pBEJoCvY -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Public Law 105-17)
President Clinton signed this bill reauthorizing and amending the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It includes the assurance of having a free appropriate public education available to children with disabilities, in the least restrictive environment,and the guarantee of due-process and procedural safeguards. This act requires schools to ensure that students with disabilities have access to general education curriculum. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act was originally the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was reauthorized in 2002 and included Title 1 provisions that benefit disadvantaged students. This act requires equity and accountability in education. The act is an education reform that requires states to test children in reading and math annually to assess the students’ progress. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) (Public Law 108-446)
President Bush signed the 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (Public Law 108-446). This act requires equality, and liability to better serve children with disabilities. This act allows districts to use response-to-intervention (RTI) to determine specific learning disabilities in children. The act also increases federal funds for students without disabilities to obtain early intervention services.