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Institut National des Juenes Avegugles
This was the first special school. It was in Paris and it served blind students. It was actually the first special school for blind students in the world. It was founded by a man named Valentin Hauy, and he did it with his own funds. -
The Arc of the United States
In the 1950's, there was not much support for people with disabilities or support for their families. Parents of children with disabilities were told that their child(ren) should be put in an institution because there was nothing that could be done for them, but these parents wanted more for their children and that is how The Arc came about. Now there are nearly 700 state and local chapters of the Arc. https://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=2530 -
PARC vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
This was a case where Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania over a law that allowed schools to deny free education to children who were 8 years old but had not reached the mental age of 5. PARC's argument was that all children could benefit from a free education. The judge ruled that it was unconstitutional to deny children a free education. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Requires that any recipient of federal funds provide for the education of handicapped children. The recipient is require to place a handicapped child in the regular classroom unless it is shown that satisfactory education cannot be provided with aides and services. -
Students with Disabilities and Postsecondary Schools
The rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA prohibits discrimination in schools against disabilities. This too applies to colleges and universities. The law does not require that colleges and universities provide free education, however, it does require that they offer academic adjustments and accessible housing to students with disabilities. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA)
This act enforced the right of children with disabilities to receive their free and appropriate education. It also made sure that schools were providing educational opportunities suited to the needs of students with disabilities and that these opportunities where being delivered in the least restrictive environment possible. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA
This act requires that every educational institute (other than ones run by religious organizations) meets the needs of children with psychiatric disorders. It also prohibits that these institutes can deny educational services, programs or activities to students with any disability as well as discrimination against them. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Was reauthorized by the United States Congress in 1990. Their overall goal is to provide children with disabilities the same opportunity for education as students who do not have a disability. IDEA is composed of six elements that emphasize their main points. The elements are: Individualized Education Program, Free and Appropriate Public Education, Least Restrictive Environment, Appropriate Evaluation, Parent and Teacher Participation, and Procedural safeguards. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ -
Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP)
ATAP is a national, non-profit organization that strives to enhance the effectiveness of Assistive Technology Programs. This organization was established in 1997. Their mission is to enhance the national network of Statewide Assistive Technology Programs. Assistive Technology (AT) refers to technology that helps individuals with disabilities to be successful and independent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIm2MuJUCTE -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
This law replaced the No Child Left Behind Act but it did not eliminate the provisions for standardized testing. This is the first bill that narrows the US federal government's role in elementary and secondary education since the 1980's. States have much more control under this act on what their goals will be and how they plan to achieve them. This act also requires that schools prepare children for a successful college experience and career.
