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School for the Deaf and Blind
In 1856, Amos Kendall donated two acres in Northeast Washington D.C. to establish a school and housing for twelve deaf students and six blind students. Later, Kendall convinced Congress to establish a school for the deaf, dumb, and blind, which was called Columbia Institution for Instruction of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. In 1894, the school name was changed to Gallaudet College in honor of Edward Gallaudet. The school is now a prestigious university that offers several degrees. -
Watson v. City of Cambridge
In 1893, students with disabilities were excluded from education in Massachusetts; it stated that students with a weak mental capacity did not have place in education. The Watson versus City of Cambridge case challenge the court for agreeing to expel a student who was mentally retarded. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
https://youtu.be/VY_VPPxikIw In 1896, Plessy v. Ferguson was the beginning of individuals questioning the separate, but equal doctrine and it paved the way for people to fight for individuals with disabilities to receive an equal education. Plessy challenged the fourteenth Amendment when he was required to sit in the back of a train. The case challenged the Louisiana’s Separate Car Act of 1890, but the case was dismissed and not viewed as unconstitutional. -
Beattie v. Board of Education
In 1919, Merritt Beattie, a boy who was crippled since birth and could not speak eloquently, but he was able to keep up mentally with children of his age. However, he required significant amount of attention from the teacher. So, the school tried to move him to a school for deaf and persons with defective speech. In the case Beattie v. Board of Education, the state of Wisconsin agreed with the ruling that students with disabilities should be excluded from public schools. -
Infantile Autism
In 1943, Leo Kanner developed a study at John Hopkins Hospital that focused on children with infantile autism. Kanner was the starting point for diagnosing children with autism. He opened the gate for more studies to be completed on children who displayed certain behaviors since birth. -
Mill v. Board of Education
In 1965, Mills v. Board of Education is a lawsuit filed against the Board of Education of District of Columbia to grant student with access to a free public education. This case marks a pivotal moment in education history because it was the reason the IDEA was enacted a few years later. They court motioned for all students with disabilities (mental retardation, emotionally disturbed, physical handicapped etc.) to receive a free education. -
Parc v. Pennsylvania
In 1971, Parc v. Pennsylvania is a class action lawsuit that was filed on behalf of all persons with disabilities. The parents of children with disabilities claimed that the state was violating the 14th amendment by excluding their child from school. The stated were in favor of the plaintiff and this case contributed to the laws that were enacted by the EHA (Education for All Handicapped Children Act) years later. -
EAHCA
In 1975, education will be forever changed, moving towards a positive direction for individuals with disabilities. Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which is now known as the IDEA act required that all children with physical and mental disabilities receives an equal education. Also, required that parents of children with disabilities have a say in their child’s education by being able to dispute decisions made about their child in the court of law. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was formed and required that well qualified citizens with a disability cannot be denied a job from a private employer due to their disability. This act was a major turning point for individuals with disabilities who wish to transition from school to the workplace. -
No Child Left Behind
In 2002, the No Child Left Behind Act was created so educational personnel will have take responsibility for all children with disabilities when it comes to assessments. Some schools used to include students with disabilities from particular assessments, but President Bush and his administered implemented this law that required for school to assess all children and make necessary accommodations.
https://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/no-child-left-behind-overview-definition-summary.html
