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1600s
Christians believed that mentally retarded and disabled people were possessed by evil spirits. -
1817
William Gallaudet created the first special education school. -
1817
The first school for Special Education was originally called the American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb. Now it is called, American School for the Deaf in Hartford Ct. -
1868
14th Amendment confirmed all people should be treated equally. -
1960s
Civil Rights Movement prompted the Disability Rights Movement. -
1973
Rehabilitation Act guaranteed civil rights to all disabled people and required accomodations for disabled students in school. -
1975
President Ford signed into law: Education for all handicapped children act. Guaranteed a free, appropriate public education. -
1990
ADA provided Americans with disabilities employment options and public transportation. -
1990
The education for all Handicapped children act was replaced by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This required schools to create IEPs. -
2001
No Child Left Behind Act: all public schools educate all including those with disabilities by making "sufficient yearly progress."