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Braille was invented
Braille was founded by Louis Braille, who became blind at a young age. It was a system of raised dots used by people who were blind or visually impaired in order to help them learn how to read. -
Perkins School for the Blind
Perkins was the first school that specifically served blind people and they also have their own manufactured brailler to print books written in braille. -
Laura Bridgman started school
When Laura was 7 years old, she started at Perkins School for the Blind and learned how to read and communicate using both braille and the manual alphabet, which was previously believed that deaf and blind people could not achieve. -
Helen Keller became blind
Helen Keller suffered from an unknown illness leading to her becoming blind at 19 months old in 1882, allowing her to become the most notable deaf and blind historical figure. -
American Civil Liberties Union
Founded by a group of people, including Helen Keller, that sought to defend and preserve the rights of every person in the United States. -
Paralympics
The Paralympic Games were founded as a series of various sporting events that allowed people with a range of disabilities to compete in. -
National Deaf-Mute College (Gallaudet University) was founded
The college was the first of its kind to serve deaf and blind children and provided them with advanced methods of learning. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Provided funding for primary and secondary education which automatically guaranteed funds for special education programs and children with disabilities. -
Special Olympics founded
The Special Olympics serves children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round sports training and activities. -
Public Law 94-142
Public Law 94-142, also known as EHA, guaranteed education programs and rights for each child with a disability across the U.S. -
Lantern Developmental Disabilities Act was passed
This act allowed people with disabilities to be provided with support and resources that would encourage independent livelihood. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Formerly known as EHA, the name was changed to IDEA so they could provide both children with disabilities and without equal education opportunities. -
IDEA Amendments
This amendment followed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and allowed special needs children from separated classrooms move into traditional classrooms. -
No Child Left Behind Act
Supported standards-based education in order to establish educational goals for how students were taught and provide other resources for children. -
Made my first friend with a disability.
One of my first direct introductions was in first grade to a special education student. He had Down syndrome and we were friends throughout elementary school. -
I was diagnosed with ADHD
When I was in second grade, I was diagnosed with ADHD after suffering from being severely unfocused during class. -
I was given an IEP
After significantly struggling with basic math, an IEP was created for me where I would get separated from my class and worked with an assistant teacher for my math. -
My mom became a special ed assistant
When I was in third grade, my mom became a special ed assistant and it was very eye-opening to hear what learning methods were used and the children she was inspired by. -
Approved for disability services
When I was in community college, I was approved for disability services for a math class since I have always struggled with math. -
Assembly Bill 181
This bill paved a new pathway for obtaining a high school diploma for students with disabilities by providing alternative assessments and also began to consider independent study for students with IEP's.