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Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb
The Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons was a residential school because traveling to America was costly. It was named deaf and dumb because most of the deaf population never learned to speak, which was referred to as dumb. Thomas Gallaudet went to Europe to discover educational methods for deaf individuals. This is when he brought back French sign language to provide instruction in reading, math, writing, geography, history, and the Bible. -
Gallaudet University
Amos Kendall created an institution for individuals with disabilities and persuaded congress to include the institution as a college for students to earn degrees. Originally named the Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, it later became known as Gallaudet College in honor of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet who was the founder of the first school for deaf students. https://www.gallaudet.edu/academic-catalog/about-gallaudet/history-of-gallaudet -
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children began with 12 members who were attending summer sessions. This council is a professional association made up of dedicated educators who want to encourage improvement and success for children with disabilities. They focus on advocacy standards and professional development to encourage and educate others on their mission. Their core thinking is based on integrity and inclusiveness to encourage a respect for everyone. https://www.cec.sped.org/ -
Brown vs. Board of Education
This court case was created to eliminate segregation of schools based on race because separate is not equal. After the case, this opened up the idea that students with disabilities should not be educated separately either. Educating a diverse population leads to more learning opportunities and students should not be segregated. -
Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act made it illegal to exclude individuals with disabilities from federally funded programs and agencies. It also required students with disabilities in school to receive accommodations to help them succeed. The Rehabilitation Act includes many sections which specify specific rights of individuals with disabilities. https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/reg/narrative.html -
Education for All Handicap Children Act
The EHA enforced the laws that all students with disabilities have the right to a free and appropriate education. It protected the rights of children with disabilities and their families and provided appropriate and effective education for individuals with disabilities. This law positively impacted millions of children with disabilities and improved their ability to access education. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA prohibits the discrimination of individuals with disabilities in federally funded programs. It also ensures the equal participation and access to employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications regardless of ability. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
EHA was reauthorized and became IDEA. IDEA provides rights to students with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 in regard to education. Key principles are included in IDEA to ensure the proper treatment of individuals with disabilities and include a free and appropriate education, parental participation, zero reject, least restrictive environment, nondiscriminatory evaluation, and procedural safeguards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XMndYNEGFA -
Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs
ATAP is a national non-profit organization which is funded under the Assistive Technology Act. ATAP helps implement assistive technology into the classrooms by providing technological assistance and helping implement AT programs. Their purpose is to encourage a strong, effective, and efficient AT program for schools for students with disabilities. -
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is an organization that focuses on finding and promoting solutions for individuals with autism, increasing the awareness, understanding, and acceptance of autism in the community, and advancing further research for interventions. It was started by Bob and Suzanne Wright once they recognized the need for a powerful voice for individuals with autism after their grandson was diagnosed. https://www.autismspeaks.org/
