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First American School for the Deaf
In search of methods to provide education for the Deaf community, Thomas Gallaudet, a Hartford minister, embarked on a journey to Europe. He brought back Laurent Clerc, a renowned instructor from Europe, whom he had hired despite not having a school opened yet. The school officially opened in Hartford, Connecticut, on April 15, 1817. The American School for the Deaf served as a model for much of the 19th century. Disability Museum -
Perkins School for the Blind
Perkins was established on March 2, 1829, and was the first school for the blind in the US. The founders, Dr. John Dix Fisher and Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe collaborated to provide education and opportunities for people who were blind. Dr. Howe believed that blind students should not be treated as "mere objects of pity" but should have equal access to education. He traveled across 15 states to support schooling programs for blind students. Perkins -
Gallaudet University
On April 8, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln approved an Act of Congress that gave the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and the Blind the authority to grant degrees. Today, this institution is known as Gallaudet University and is the only accredited liberal arts university in the world that caters to deaf students. This school allows students to pursue higher education and prepare for professional careers, and it has also played a crucial role in strengthening the national Deaf Community. -
Brown v. Board of Education
On May 17, 1954, the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, as the U.S. Supreme Court deemed state laws mandating separate public schools for students based on their race as unconstitutional. This historic decision paved the way for subsequent legislative actions regarding individuals with disabilities, marking the first instance where the federal government advocated for the rights of students who had faced discrimination and inequality in educational settings. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was signed into law on April 9, 1965 and was a key part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty". ESEA is a comprehensive law that provides funding for primary and secondary education, with a focus on maintaining high standards and accountability. The act authorizes funds for professional development, instructional materials, resources for educational programs, and encouraging parental involvement, as required by the legislation. -
PARC
On October 8, 1971, the court approved a class-action lawsuit between Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children(PARC) v. the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which deemed several state laws unconstitutional and mandated the state to assess and place all students aged 6-21 with mental disabilities in an appropriate publicly funded educational setting. Consequently, the state was prohibited from "denying any mentally retarded child access to a free public program of education and training." -
Americans with Disabilities Act
On July 26, 1990, President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. The ADA prevents unfair treatment because of a disability, similar to other civil rights laws that prevent discrimination based on race, color, sex, age, and religion. It ensures that individuals with disabilities can access the same employment opportunities, buy goods and services, and take part in state and local government programs as everyone else. ADA -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act, President. Bush's education reform, became law on Jan. 8, 2002. Significant change in education since 1965, it revisited and updated President Johnson's ESEA. The new law increases the federal government's involvement ensuring quality public education for all U.S. children, especially focusing on more funding for poorer school districts and new measures to hold schools accountable for the students' progress. -
Public Space Inclusion
On Sept. 15, 2010, the Department of Justice introduced new rules for the ADA, focusing on Titles II and III. These rules include clear accessibility standards called the "2010 Standards."
These guidelines specifically deal with making places like restrooms, public spaces, parks, and businesses more accessible for people with disabilities. They need to be followed during the planning, construction, and changes made to buildings and facilities. This allows public places to be more inclusive. -
The Every Student Succeeds Act
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015, replaced the old education law, "No Child Left Behind." Schools have to tell parents about their standards and results, along with providing parents with important info on test scores, graduation rates, suspensions, absenteeism, teacher qualifications, and more. ESSA also allows states to use money for career and technical education and transportation to better schools for students.