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1550
Early/Mid 1500s
Disabilities are widely misunderstood, often attributed to witchcraft/inferiority. Harsh physical environment produces harsh treatment (ostracism, witch burning, exploitation, and torture) -
1590 Microscope Invented
Zacharias Janssen's invention of the microscope allows researchers to begin the study of cells, seeking to understand causes. -
First Law Enacted
Between 1634 and 1638, the first law was enacted for public support of education. -
Early 1700s Links to Physical Diseases
Suspicions began to arise that mental illness was linked to physical diseases. -
Advances for Deaf & Blind
Advancements in earlier work for deaf leads to simplified sign language that can be used to communicate with the deaf.
First time educators are called Special Educators for work with the deaf and the blind. -
1800s Links to Psychological Ailments
Now beliefs shift to include ideas that mental illness is due to psychological phenomena. -
1905 New Jersey Training School for Feebleminded Boys & Girls
First training classes offered for teachers of special classes. -
The Education of the Handicapped Act of 1970
This law puts into play much of the legislative foundation for education and rights of students with disabilities. -
1973 Section 504
As a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 is introduced as the first federal civil rights law that protects the rights of people with disabilities. The law states that no agency receiving federal funds may discriminate against, deny benefits to or exclude from participation, any qualified individual with a disability. -
1975 The Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Congress enacts Public Law 94-142 to increase federal support of states and local municipalities to protect, meet and improve the educational rights of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families.
This sparks a major move in Special Education. -
1990 The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The IDEA of 1990 updated the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 with several amendments. The IDEA removed the term handicap replacing it with the term disability. It made the law everyday people friendly by using "people first language". It entitled children with disabilities to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). -
IDEA 1997
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 bucles downs on states requiring every state to have policies and procedures that ensure a FAPE for all students with disabilities. -
2001 No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Congress passed the NCLB Act in 2001 as an update to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. No child left behind ensures that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and state academic assessments. -
IDEA 2004
IDEA is revamped again. Major point is that school districts must provide instruction and intervention for students to help keep students out of special education.
