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May Institute
The May Institute was founded in 1955 by Dr. Jacques May and his wife Marie Ann. They had twin boys with autism and they wanted their boys to lead the fullest lives possible so they decided to open a small school in Chatham, Massachusetts. May Institute now operates five special education schools and provides early intervention, home-based, and school consultation services that meet the needs of special needs children across the US. -
PARC v. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children brought a lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for failing to provide a publicly supported education to students with developmental disabilities. The Federal District Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and all children ages 6 to 21 were to be provided a free public education. -
Mills v. Board of Education
Mills v. Board of Education was a class action suit that was brought before the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of seven school age children who had been denied access to a public educational program because of mental, behavioral, physical or emotional disabilities. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and mandated that the District of Columbia schools provide a publicly supported education to all children with disabilities. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act Public Law 93-112 Section 504
In 1973, Congress passed Section 504 of Public Law 93-112 as part of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. This section requires reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities, and prohibits the denial of participation in any program receiving federal funds solely on the basis of one’s disability. Exclusion is permissible under certain circumstances but there must be a valid justification. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act Public Law 94-142
On November 29, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act known as Public Law 94-142. This legislation provided all students with disabilities ages 3 to 21 with a free and appropriate education, education in the least restrictive environment, Individualized Educational Programs (IEP), and parental involvement in educational decisions related to their children. -
Parents Helping Parents
Parents Helping Parents was founded in 1976 by two mothers of children with Down syndrome who met and organized a support group in their living rooms. The following year they enlarged this group and their support to include all children with special needs. PHP has strong support in the community and a knowledgeable staff that provides parents of special needs children with specialized training, counseling, support, and online resources. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Public Law 101-336
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law and it was the most significant civil rights legislation in the US since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The ADA was created to end discrimination against individuals with disabilities in private-sector employment, public services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. https://adata.org/learn-about-ada -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Public Law 101-476
President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1990 as amendments to Public Law 94-142. This amendment included the addition of students with autism or traumatic brain injury as a separate class entitled to services. A transition plan was also an added requirement to be included in every student’s IEP. In addition, this amendment emphasized the individual over the disability, changing how individuals with disabilities are referred to. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act Public Law 108-446
President George W. Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act as an amendment to IDEA. This requires IEPs to include a statement of measurable annual goals, including academic and functional goals. This act included a new initiative in the pre-referral and identification of children with learning disabilities and this process is referred to response to intervention (RTI). Also, this amendment required school districts to employ highly qualified teachers. -
Autism Speaks
In 2005, Autism Speaks was co-founded by Suzanne and Bob Wright after they were inspired by their grandson who was diagnosed with autism. Autism Speaks is now the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. This organization started Light It Up Blue which is a campaign to raise awareness for autism. On every April 2nd, thousand of homes, communities, iconic landmarks, and buildings join to “light blue” in support to people with autism. https://youtu.be/tFM_pnwO7jU
