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First American School for Deaf
The American School for the Deaf, was founded by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and co-established with Laurent Clerc. It was the first permanent school for deaf children in the United States. Thomas was inspired to learn how to effectively educate deaf children after meeting a young deaf girl named Alice Cogswell.
American School For the Deaf -
CEC Organization Founded
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) was founded by Elizabeth E. Farrell, the organization's first President. CEC is the largest international organization committed to advocating and improving the overall success of children with disabilities and gifts. The Council works to provide laws to protect children with disabilities. They are also a trusted resource for training educators in Special Education. -
Brown v. Board of Education
A unanimous decision made by the Supreme Court that allowed all children to have the right to equal education. Children were no longer segregated because of their race. This historic passing inspired parents of children with disabilities to fight against discrimination and exclusion in schools because of their disabilities.
Brown v. Board of Education video -
ESEA signed into law
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act into law. It meant that funds would be provided for schools to develop a proper environment for children with disabilities. This was a groundbreaking commitment to equal access to quality education for all students. Since its enactment, this federal law has been amended numerous times. -
Congress Investigates
In 1972, Congress launched an investigation into the status of children with disabilities and found an alarming number children were not receiving an appropriate education. Out of eight million children, barely half were receiving an appropriate education. Nearly two million children weren't receiving educational services at all. And nearly three million children with disabilities were receiving an inappropriate education. -
Section 504 is passed
The Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination of individuals with disabilities on account of their disabilities. It ensures that individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, have equal access to programs, activities, and services. This is especially beneficial to students with disabilities to have equal access to educational opportunities.