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First school for disabilities
American Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb opened its doors in Hartford, Connecticut. The school was directed by Rev. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet. It was initially opened to meet the demands of parents of deaf children who wanted their children to receive an education. During its time the term dumb was used to describe individuals who were unable to speak. After a few years, the school changed its name to The American School for the Deaf. -
First college for disabilities
The Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind was the first school recognized in American congress to offer college education and a college degree to individuals with disabilities. It was also the first one in the world to offer this opportunity. The school's name later changed to Gallaudet University. The university still has it's doors open offering degrees with an ASL and English curriculum -
Beattie v. Board of Education
The Wisconsin Supreme court made a decision that allowed students with certain disabilities to be excluded from a education. If the student had a disability that caused drooling, body contortions, or any distraction to their peers then they would be denied an education. Educators found these students to be nauseating, repulsive, and a burden. The Wisconsin Supreme court agreed with the educators that these students are too much of a burden. For both educators and peers. -
First advocacy group for disabilities
The International Council for the Education of Exceptional children is the first-ever group created to be the voice of students with exceptionalities. They advocated for each student to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education. To date, this is the largest advocacy group in America for students with disabilities. In 1958, they changed the name to the current name of The Council for Exceptional Children. (The CEC)
Link to website to learn more: https://www.cec.sped.org/About-Us -
First SPED classroom
An advocacy group named Cuyahoga Council for Retarded citizens composed of five mothers that fought to have a special classroom for their children's education. The mother's protest against their children exclusion from an education lead to the first establishment of a special education classroom. The rulings of these protests were that the mothers have to sponsor and pay for these classrooms and education. The protest took place in Cuyahoga, Ohio. -
Section 504 is created
The Rehabilitation Act had section 504 that protects individuals with disabilities against discrimination. Section 504 is the first law in America that gives protection to students with special needs. Section 504 includes a Free Appropriate Public Education and a Least Restrictive Environment. If a student is has a physical or mental disability that inhibits their learning then they must receive an FAPE and LRE. Link below to learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxx6rQqIjpY -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act 1975
This educational act was implemented to ensue for students with disabilities are and must be educated in a public school. The EAHCA provided students with supplemental services, due process, zero-reject, and an LRE. All while proving a free and proper education. For students aged 3-21. -
Handicapped Children’s Protection Act
Ronald Regan signed the HCPA to allow parents more of a say in their child development of their IEP. Parents had the right to agree and disagree with suggestions giving to them about their child. This allowed parents to add personal goals to their children's IEP aside from only educational goals. Parents knew their kids better than the educational system. -
The individuals with disabilities Education Act
George W. Bush signed The individuals with disabilities Education Act into law. IDEA includes six sections, which are FAPE, LRE, IEP, evaluation, parent/student participation, and all procedural safeguards for participants. Confidentiality of Information, Transition Services, and Discipline are also part of IDEA. This created the first official law to touch base on each issue that can occur in a school system with a student with a disability. -
IDEA Reauthorized
Updated IDEA to have interventions for children under the age of two who have a disability. This allows for children with a developmental delay to begin intervention as early as possible. IDEA 2011 also required for special education students to take part in state and district-wide assessments.
