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American School for the Deaf
Founded in 1817 by Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc, ASD is the first permanent school designed to aid those with special educational needs, specifically those who were deaf or hard-of-hearing. Students were provided several accommodations and prepared for their transition into adulthood. The founders are credited for the development of ASL, which was taught at ASD. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This landmark case overruled the "separate but equal" ruling that another case, Plessy v Ferguson, had previously established. This case unanimously ruled that the segregation of children in public schools based on race was unconstitutional. This case is largely attributed to fueling the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. -
Disability Rights Movement
Linked with the Civil Rights Movement, the Disability Rights Movement advocated for the rights of those with disabilities everywhere in society. This movement ran the course of several years, 1954 to 1968. These organizations were not in vain, there came several new laws and legislation, such as Section 504 or the ADA. WATCH VIDEO HERE -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or ESEA, is considered to be one of the most profound acts of federal legislation affecting education in the United States. This act provides federal funding to both elementary and secondary education - to ensure children are receiving the proper materials and resources in order to succeed in the classroom. This act places a great emphasis on equal access to education! -
PARC v. Commonwealth of PA
The full name for this case is the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Before this case, Pennsylvania had a law where children could be denied education if they had not reached the mental age of 5 by the start of first grade. However, the court that the state did not have the right to deny any individuals right to education based on their intellectual or developmental disability status. This is one of the first cases to establish this right. -
Education for all Handicapped Children
Enacted in 1975, the Education for all Handicapped Children Act was passed in order to guarantee equal access to education for all children with disabilities. This act emphasizes that all children had a right to education as well as mandating the full inclusion of kids with disabilities in general education classrooms. -
BOE v. Rowley
Amy Rowley was a deaf fifth grade student who was refused a sign language interpreter in the classroom. Due to the fact that she was successful enough in class and was well adjusted among her peers without an interpreter, she was denied more accommodations. Her parents sued the school on her behalf for violating the EHCA of 1975. The court ruled in her favor, stating that though she was doing well in school, she was not achieving her full potential. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA, was signed into law by President Bush in 1990. This is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in all areas of society. It states that those living with disabilities are guaranteed the same rights and opportunities as everyone else - providing any accommodations needed. This act is separated into 5 sections. ADA -
IDEA
Originally known as the EHCA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a "revised" law. It was designed to ensure that all children with disabilities are granted a free appropriate public education, or FAPE, in the least restrictive environment. Among with these two principles, there are four other major ones that shine awareness of the education of children by including them, their parents, and the school. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
Signed by President Obama in 2015, this act was a revision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002. The ESSA focused on the achievement gaps placed on children and workers in the education system, specifically those who were underserved by their community. This act called for the accountability of the government and school system who were not protected their children and workers in the school system, increasing equity, quality of instruction, and closing achievement gaps.