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Before the 1800's
Before the 1800s, the treatment and perception of individuals with disabilities were deeply influenced by societal beliefs and a lack of understanding. People with disabilities were often seen as less than human and were subjected to inhumane treatment and exploitation. The treatment during this time was pure ignorance and lack of knowledge. History -
"American Asylum"
In April of 1817, the first school for the deaf "American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb" in the United States opened in Hartford, Connecticut. It was first called the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of deaf students. The controversial name was later renamed the American School for the Deaf. -
Wisconsin Supreme Court Beattie v. Board of Education
The Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds exclusion in the case of Beattie v. Board of Education and denies the right of a child with cerebral palsy to attend school despite an intellectual capacity to achieve. The court concluded that including disabled students would be detrimental to other children's learning. -
Beginning of the Modern Special Education
1940's was the Beginning of the modern Special Education Movement. A foundation for the Blind and American Federation of the Physically Handicap- during World War II came along because many young soldiers sustained lifelong disabilities causing legislation to be put in place for Special Education. Also, The University of Illinois establishes the disabled student’s program, which becomes the model for disabled student programs and living centers across the nation. -
Brown vs board of Education
Brown vs board of Education and Social security act was primarily about racial segregation, however this particular case set the groundwork for the argument that separate educational facilities are essentially unequal, which was later applied to special education. the IDEA would later be built off the principles from this act. Brown -
"Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children"
(P.A.R.C) v. Commonwealth overturned a Pennsylvania law that denied education to anyone below the mental age of 5. It was one of the first cases that dealt with the issues of intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and education. The new standard became that children aged 6 to 21 would be given access to public education Pennsylvania -
Education For all Handicap children Act
Education For all Handicap children Act was created by the United States Congress and it required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for children with physical and mental disabilities. Public schools were required to evaluate children with disabilities and create an educational plan with parent input that would match as closely as possible the educational experience of non-disabled students -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was caused by the EHA education for all handicapped children act amendments and was revised and renamed as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1990 for improvement of special education. IDEA ensures students with a disability are provided with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that is tailored to their individual needs. Also, that these students should be educated in the least restrictive environment. -
Daniel R.R v. State Board of Education
This act determined that students with disabilities have a right to be included in both academic and extracurricular activities with general education students. This required schools to placing students in mainstream students in non-academic classes and providing interaction with non-disabled students. -
Change to IDEA.
Parent participation and decision making with the IDEA is the most important changes to the act. This change was for parent participation and decision making in their child’s IEP. The 1997 Congress further strengthened parents' role and brought them to life by providing applicable standards and structure with best intentions for their child.
Here is an article explaining the change,
Change -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was signed by President Bush and gave parents the right to participate in IEP meetings provided further accountability to schools and added technology assistance and loan programs to help schools acquire needed special education resources. This act held schools accountable for special Education students to boost their performance. Schools would risk losing title 1 money if they failed to do so. -
Assistive Technology Act
This act is designed for Individuals with Disabilities Education improvement and is a federal law designed to maximize the ability of people with disabilities to select, obtain, and use assistive technology. Through a system of comprehensive federal state funded technology-related programs, those in need could access appropriate technology to guide them through life. Tech