Sped

The History of Special Education

By Shekeyla

  • 1st Federal Law

    1st Federal Law
    The first federal law was passed concerning the care of individuals with disabilities.This law was made for the relief of sick and disabled seamen. It was passed by the 5th Congress. President John Adams signed the Act on July 16, 1798. The President authorized the treatment and funding for these men in hospitals and other facilities.

  • 1st Special Education School

    1st Special Education School
    The first special education school in the United States was established in Hartfod,Connecticut. The school's name was Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons. This school was developed mainly for deaf Americans, This school was opened on April 15, 1817.

  • 1st Public SPED Class

    1st Public SPED Class
    Rhode Island opens the first public special education class in the United States in 1896. This special education class was opened for children with Mental Retardation. Several other cities began to follow Providence, Rhode Island's lead. In doing so, they opened classrooms for individuals with disabilities as well as for non-English speakers.

  • Beattie v. Board of Education

    Beattie v. Board of Education
    Merritt Beattie struggled with speech. He had some paralysis and drooling issues. The school he attended did not like his condition and tried to force him to attend a school for the deaf. He did not struggle academically. He was expelled because his condition made teachers and others nauseous. The Supreme Court ruled that students could be excluded from school based on disability.

  • Normalization

    Normalization
    The concept of "Normalization" originated in Denmark. This concept allowed people who lived in institutions to enjoy a "normal" everyday life. This process made everday life and its situations as close as possible for those living with a disability. Normalization helped to convince people that individuals with disabilities had a place in the community.

  • Special Olympics

    Special Olympics
    Anne McGlone Burke recieved a grant in order to start Special Olympics. The Special Olympics was first held in Chicago. This organization was created to help people with disabilities develop social skills, self-confidence, and a sense of accomplishment. Every two years, the Special Olympics hosts the Special Olympics World Games in the Summer or Winter. Local and National competitons are held in over 150 countries.

  • PARC v. Pennsylvania

    PARC v. Pennsylvania
    In the case of PARC v. Commonwealth, the Equal Protection Clause was found to be violated.Students should be able to receive a free appropriate public education, however at this time, students with disabilities were deprived of that right. An association advocated for children with disabilities to gain assistance from the court to receive access to public education.

  • Section 504

    Section 504
    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a civil rights law which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 504 prohibits organizations and employers from denying individuals with disabilities an
    equal opportunity to receive benefits and services. Rights of individuals with disabilities are defined as
    participating in, and having access to benefits and services. Qualified individuals with disabilities are protected under this law.

  • IDEA

    IDEA
    This law was originally enacted in 1975. The name of this law originally was Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA). It later became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Enacted by Congress, it had the purpose to ensure that students with disabilities have the opportunity for a free appropriate public education. http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4169140/2004-idea-improvement-act

  • PL 94-142

    PL 94-142
    Public Law 94-142 became a law in 1975. The objective of this law is to support states in protecting the rights as well as meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities. It guarantees individuals with disabilities a free and appropriate public education in all states across the nation.

  • ADA-1990

    ADA-1990
    adata.org/learn-about-adaThe Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted by Congress in 1990. This law came about with hopes to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. This act was intended to make it illegal to keep disabled individuals from having reasonable access to employment, education and other public activities. This law was signed by George W. Bush.