-
First School for Deaf Americans
The first permanent educational facility for deaf Americans was established in the city of Hartford, Connecticut. It was in the year 1817. Soon after the school's establishment, the federal government provided the school with a land grant in Alabama, with the purpose of expanding their program to other deaf people in the country. -
Braille for the Blind
In 1824, Louis Braille developed a tactile system for reading and writing system to be used for the visually impaired. He was only 15 years old. He went on to publish his work in 1829. The system was based upon a French military system for night reading. -
First United States School for the Blind
In the year 1829, the first school for the blind was founded. Dr. John Dix Fisher and several other Boston-residents team together to create the New England Asylum for the Blind. It is now known as the Perkins School for the Blind. Helen Keller is perhaps the school's most well-known student. -
Compulsory Education
In the year 1840, Rhode Island became the first state in the country to pass a compulsory education law. Massachusetts followed behind them in 1852. By 1918, every state in the country had this type of law. -
The Massachusetts School for Idiotic and Feeble-Minded Youth
In the year 1848, Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, worked to establish The Massachusetts School for Idiotic and Feeble-Minded Youth. The school was opened in the South Boston area of the state, with the goal of educating young people with intellectual disabilities. Howe was also the director of the Perkins School of the Blind. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
In 1954, the United States Supreme Court ruled in the case of Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka. The court ruled that it was unconstitutional for any public educational institution to segregate students on the basis of race. The ruling would have far-reaching implications for case rulings and laws in the future, including in the area of special education. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
As part of President Lyndon Johnson's "War on Poverty," it pushed for greater equality regarding access to education for all students, including those in special education. The legislation also focused on more federal funding for impoverished students in primary and secondary education. -
Congressional Investigation of 1972
In the wake of two lower court rulings regarding special education, the United States Congress set out to determine how many American students required exceptional children services, and whether or not they were being properly served. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
In November of 1975, President Gerald Ford signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The law's technical name is Public Law 94-142. The law required all states which receive funding from the federal government to give exceptional children an education in equal quality and accessibility. -
Handicapped Children’s Protection Act
The legislation was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. It's purpose was to strengthen the rights of parents in terms of having a say in the development of their child's IEP. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
"The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else." (ADA National Network, 2019) -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
During the administration of President Bill Clinton, the Education for all Handicapped Children’s Act evolved into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Clinton reauthorized the old legislation, while also seeing several amendments being made. Another amendment was made in 2004.
