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Rise of Institutions for the Disabled
In the early 19th century, individuals with disabilities faced difficult living conditions, particularly in industrial regions. It was customary to "warn out" individuals with disabilities and others deemed undesirable. Warning out involved notifying unwelcome newcomers that they were not welcome in the community. Another widespread practice was "passing on," which involved placing such individuals on a cart and leaving them in the neighboring town. -
1st step to special education
In 1814, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a Yale graduate and ordained minister, encountered Dr. Mason Fitch Cogswell and his deaf daughter, Alice. Inspired by their situation, Gallaudet traveled to Europe in 1815 to learn about educating deaf children and discovered the groundbreaking work at a school for the deaf in Paris, France. He persuaded Laurent Clerc, a skilled young deaf teacher, to accompany him back to the United States to create the country's first permanent school for the deaf. -
The American School for the Deaf
The American School for the Deaf, originally The American Asylum, at Hartford, For The Education And Instruction Of The Deaf, is the oldest permanent school for the deaf in the United States, and the first school for deaf children anywhere in the western hemisphere. The school was founded by Dr. Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc in Hartford, CT.
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Gallaudet University
In 1864, with the backing of Congress and President Abraham Lincoln, they expanded their vision by founding Gallaudet University. Gallaudet quickly became a symbol of visual learning, visual language, social justice, and comprehensive rights for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Over time, Gallaudet has developed into a university that surpasses even the wildest dreams of its founders.
Gallaudet University -
First public special education classroom
During this era, people with disabilities were put in institutions facilitated by the state. The flagship classroom in Rhode Island was the impetus for other states to follow suit and open classrooms for children who could not participate in regular classroom settings. -
The Assoc. for the Study of the Feeble-Minded
It was founded by a group of professionals: doctors, educators, and social workers, who sought to improve the lives of those with intellectual disabilities through research, education, and advocacy. The association eventually evolved into what is known today as the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), which continues to work towards the enhancement of the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
AAIDD -
Parent groups
Parent groups begin advocating and demanding educational services for their disabled children. In 1936, the Children's Benevolent League was organized and later became the Association for Retarded Children. -
ARC was founded
Proponents for special education, such as, Dr. Gunnar Dybwad, who became the first executive director of the National Association for Retarded Children (the Arc) until 1963, joined the cause for the disabled to have special education services.
Video of Dr. Gunnar Dybwad, advocate for the disabled -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark Supreme Court decision, rules that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. This ruling sets the stage for greater inclusion and equal educational opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities.
Brown v BOA -
Educational services funded by the federal government.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is signed into law, providing federal funding for primary and secondary education and emphasizing equal access to education for all students and is facilitated by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)
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The Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
This legislation, later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gauranteed a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities and requires schools to provide special education and related services in the least restrictive environment (LRE). -
ADA is law
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is signed into law, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including schools. -
NCLB is signed
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is signed into law, requiring states to develop academic standards and assessments for all students, including those with disabilities, and holding schools accountable for their performance.
NCLB -
IDEA reauthorized
IDEA is reauthorized for the third time, aligning it more closely with NCLB and emphasizing the use of research-based interventions and individualized education plans (IEPs) to support students with disabilities.
IDEA -
ESSA
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is signed into law, replacing NCLB and providing more flexibility to states in designing their own accountability systems while maintaining a focus on the achievement of all students, including those with disabilities.
ESSA
[video])https://www.advocacyinstitute.org/ESSA/ESSAinterviewseries.shtml)