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1817-The Connecticut Asylum for the Education of Deaf and Dumb Persons
The Connecticut Asylum for the Education of Deaf and Dumb Persons was established in 1817. This was the first school that catered to the disability community and is considered the first step in recognizing needed education for the disabled community. -
1860-The Missouri School for the Blind
In 1860, the Missouri School for the Blind was the first institution in the United States to use braille for its students. This gave this community access to knowledge, learning, growth, and insight that was once unavailable. -
1933-The Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Council for the Retarded Child
In 1933, the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Council for the Retarded Child was established by parents with children with disabilities. This group was an parent advocate group whose goal was to assist local children who had been excluded from school because of their disability. This is one of the first parent advocate groups established and many more soon were created as a result. -
1948-12%
In 1948, it was noted that only 12% of children with disabilities received some form of education in the United States. Parents continued to fight for services and by the early 1950s, all schools had some form of special education services, but the results were undesirable. -
1965-The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Thanks to the advocacy of parents, Lyndon B. Johnson began signing off acts and providing funding towards special education programs in the United States starting in 1965 starting with the signing of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. -
1973-The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was signed and guaranteed civil rights to all disabled people and required accommodations for disabled students in schools. -
1975- The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA)
In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) guaranteed and enforced the right of children with disabilities to receive a free, appropriate education. This is where the terminology "least restrictive environment" come into play, something that greatly guides special education today. -
1990-EHA becomes The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
In 1990, EHA was redesigned as The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This act allowed children with disabilities to be included in regular classes. Parents were also allowed to have more involvement in the education of their children. -
1997- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
In 1997, EHA underwent a number of substantial revisions and became known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA emphasized the use of individual education plans, or IEPs, for all special education students. -
2004-No Child Left Behind Act
Starting in 2001, but completing in 2004, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) provided further accountability to schools and added technology assistance and loan programs to help schools acquire needed special education resources.
