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The Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen Act
President John Adams signed the first federal law concerning the care of persons with disabilites in the United States. This act funded medical care and the construction of hospitals for seamen. Some historians believe that this act was the first form of health insurance (since 20 cents was deducted from the seamen's monthly paychecks), while others believe it was passed as a matter of national security. -
The First Public Special Education Class
As educators became more aware of children who were labeled "slow" and "backward", Rhode Island opened the first public special education class in the United States, paving the way for what we now know as Free and Appropriate Public Education. -
Professional Organization
CEC WebsiteThe International Council for the Education of Exceptional Children was organized by a group of educators who attended the summer session at the Teachers College of Columbia University. This organization is now the largest international professional organization that is dedicated to improving the educational outcomes of exceptional students. -
The Kennedy Effect
JFK's Influence on Mental HealthcareThe Kennedy family used their personal experiences with disability to cause change at the national level. First, Eunice Kenney Shriver wrote an article about her sister Rose's mental retardation and lobotomy. Then, her brother, President John F. Kennedy formed the President's Panel on Mental Retardation. This panel consisted of 26 experts including physicians and researchers, and their goal was to find solutions for those with mental retardation. The panel's report contained 112 recommendations. -
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
PARC v. Commonwealth Digital StoryThis court case decided that all people with mental retardation could benefit from education and training, and that a special education class within a public school was better than any other type of setting. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This law, signed by President Nixon, prohibits discrimination based on disability in the following areas: programs conducted by federal agencies, programs receiving federal financial assistance, federal emplyment -
Creating Awareness
Movie TrailerThe film One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest was released in 1975. This film starring Jack Nicholson won five Academy Awards, and is based on the novel of the same name that depicts the terrors of institutionalization at that time. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Signed into law during the civil rights movement of the 1970s, this act required all public schools to provide equal access to education plus one free meal a day for children with disabilities. This law also required schools to evaluate children and create an education plan, involving parent input, that was as similar as possible to those of typical children. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
This law ensures students with disabilities are provided with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that is tailored specifically to their educational needs. In 1997, this law was amended to include 10 specifications about issues like participation in general education classrooms, discipline, state assessments, transition, and IEP structure. -
IDEA 2004
Special Education Eligibility Huffington Post ArticleIDEA 2004 mandates accountability for children with disabilities through the update of IEP structures. Additional changes were made to IDEA that require schools to use research based methods while idetermining special education eligibilty.
