-
Connecticut American Asylum for the Education of the Deaf
The first special education school in the US established in Hartford. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet becomes the principal and creator of the Connecticut American Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. This establishment is now called the American School for the Deaf. Gallaudet was principal until 1830 and was followed by his son who leads and taught students primarily in American Sign Language. -
Braille System
Louis Braille was a French educator who created the system for reading and writing for the blind and visually impaired. He created the Braille system of communication that is still being used today. Louis published the first-ever braille book in 1829, which was used to describe his methods of reading and writing. His inspiration came from a soldier named Charles Barbier who used a coding system of raised dotes to share top-secret information with soldiers. https://youtu.be/o9BOQ6IpTSE -
The New England Asylum for the Blind
Samuel Gridley Howe founded the New England Asylum for the Blind was incorporated in Boston and later known as the Perkins School for the Blind. This was the first school to teach blind and deafblind students reading, writing, and mathematics. In 1880, the school created a library that became the largest in the world on non-medical aspects of blindness and deafness. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Samuel-Gridley-Howe -
Rhode Island Compulsory Education Laws
The Rhode Island Compulsory Education Law was passed mandating all children must receive an education. Children within a given age range are required by law to receive an education provided by the government, which includes homeschooling, private, religious, or public schools. However, children with disabilities were still excluded from public schools. This law was put into effect to target parents who have failed to enroll their child or made efforts to ensure regular attendance. -
The American Association on Intellectual and Development Disabilities
The American Association on Intellectual and Development Disabilities (AAIDD) is formed to advocate for handicapped people’s rights. AAIDD advocates for equality and human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their goal is to push for full inclusion and participation in society and to enhance professionals who work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
https://www.aaidd.org/about-aaidd -
The International Council for the Education of Exceptional Children
The International Council for the Education of Exceptional Children is established. Its name later changed to the Council for Exceptional Children in 1958. The organization's goal is to help improve teaching for exceptional learners as well as improve policies.
https://www.cec.sped.org/ -
Brown Vs. Board of Education
Brown Vs. Board of education rules that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional including students with disabilities. This judgment backed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by overturning the “separate but equal” doctrine to overturn laws enforcing segregation in other public facilities. https://youtu.be/1siiQelPHbQ -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
President Lyndon B Johnson provided funding for primary and secondary schools. The act was signed into law on April 9, 1965, and mandated funds for professional development, instructional materials, resources, and promotion of parental involvement. https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/programs/education/elementary-and-secondary-education-act-of-1965/ -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) Vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) Vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the first right to education suit to help overturn the law and secure quality education for all children. The state agreed to provide a free and public education for children with mental retardation. -
Rehabilitation Act
Prohibits any type of discrimination on the basis of disability in federal agencies, in programs receiving federal financial assistance, and in federal employment and employment practices of federal contractors. This act determined the standards for employment discrimination and protects the rights of qualified individuals with disabilities. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was originally called the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. IDEA requires all schools and districts receiving federal funding to provide students with disabilities a public education that meets their unique learning needs and prepares them for further education, employment, and independent livening. The law also requires individualized education programs to be developed. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act was established to help close achievement gaps in order to provide all children with a fair, equal, and high-quality education. This accountability system was established to require each state to establish state academic standards and state testing systems that meet federal requirements. These accountability standards hold schools accountable for how children learned and achieved. -
Assistive Technology Act
Assistive Technology Act and Individuals with Disabilities education improvement act: was amended in 2004 to affirm that technology is a valuable tool that can be used to improve the lives of those with disabilities. The act provides federal funding to assist states in developing systems of access to assistive technology and services.
