Timeline: The History of Special Education

Oct 12, 1773

First hospital for people with mental disabilities

This is the date that the first person was actually admitted to the hospital

Jun 28, 1864

Galluadet College founded as the National Deaf Mute college

The only institution of higher learning in the United States devoted specifically to the education of the deaf.

Jan 1, 1905

Dr. Alfred Binet identifies "slow" or "retarded children-IQ test

Mar 4, 1933

Franklin D. Rooservelt-32nd President-physical disablilty

Even though FDR wheeled around the White House from 1933 to 1945, he and his advisors were worried that the American people, not to mention his enemies, would think his disability made him weak. For this reason, the fact that he could not walk was hidden from the public. Politicians and the news media helped keep this secret.
Reynolds, Dave (2001). Retrieved June 10, 2011, from the Inclusion Daily Express Web Site: http://www.inclusiondaily.com

Dec 1, 1970

Parents advocating for public school education for disabled children

CLE publishes the first full year of Inequality in Education, coveted by legal services attorneys, policy makers, advocates and academics for its ground breaking examination of such critical and timely concerns as Title I, parent involvement, tracking, Indian education, and race and sex discrimination.