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American School for the Deaf
This was one of the first ever schools opened that included students with disabilities and accommodated for them. The school provides many programs such as ASL and English Bilingual Program. The school teaches from elementary to high school students and it provided education for the deaf from the 1800's to now. Here is a link to the website of the school:
(https://www.asd-1817.org/) -
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prevented disabled individuals from being discriminated against by companies for job opportunities. This extends to jobs regarding education which means that this gave the opportunity for disabled individuals to teach at schools if they desired. Overall, this was one of the earlier steps to equality for disabled individuals.
Here is a link to the law:
(https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/rehabilitation-act-1973) -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a court case that ruled that schools cannot be "separate but equal." This made it so students, regardless of skin color, had equal opportunities. This includes all individuals and was a huge step forward of education as a whole in terms of equality and civil rights.
Here is a video that fully explains what occurred!
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBlqcAEv4nk) -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
This act was made in 1975 to ensure that everyone, including disabled individuals, got the education they needed as well as it being a stepping stone for equal opportunities for disabled individuals. It also makes it so states should accommodate for these individuals as well. The act also makes it so appropriate allocation of resources and funding are sent to these schools. Here is the link for the full information: (https://www.congress.gov/bill/94th-congress/house-bill/7217) -
IDEA Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was formed and passed to provide schools with the necessary funding needed for students with special needs. This is done in the form of grants such as formula and discretionary grants. This was created to ensure equal opportunity for disabled and non disabled students. (https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/) -
504 Sit-In
This was a protest in San Francisco to demand greater accessibility and accommodations for people with disabilities. This included education as well, with people wanting more resources and accommodations for disabled individuals. Section 504 is what sparked this protest as companies found it too bothersome to accommodate for disabled individuals.
Link for information.
(https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/blog/entry/504-sit-in-history#:~:text=On%20April%205%2C%201977%2C%20a,%22504%20Sit%2Din%22.) -
DREDF
The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, otherwise known as DREDF is an activist group that aims to aid in equal rights for disabled individuals. Their goal is to aid these people to live independent lives free of discrimination and was impactful during 1979 to spread more awareness and protest.
Here is more info about the organization:
(https://dredf.org/about-us/#:~:text=Disability%20Rights%20Education%20and%20Defense,who%20have%20children%20with%20disabilities.) -
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life which includes but is not limited to transportation, jobs, ability to attend school, exc. This was one of the first ever acts passed that was considered to be a step forward for disabled individuals to gain more opportunities.
Here is a video to help with explanation!
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Q1BgpJnWI) -
Assistive Technology Act
The Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) reformed the way disabled people were able to function in schools and at work. The AT Act provided these individuals with necessary accommodations through technology in order for them to be able to work. Overall this made it so people had more access to these technologies and it has been revised and updated as the years go by.
Link to the act:
(https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/2432) -
No Child Left Behind Act
The "No Child Left Behind Act" was made in order to ensure that the students that are of special needs or those who are falling behind are ensured to get the help that they are needed. This law also makes it so that it is necessary for schools to track student progress of a variety of groups, including those with special needs. Teachers are also required to have higher standards in order to teach their students.
(https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/no-child-left-behind-an-overview/2015/04)