-
School for the Deaf
American School for the Deaf website In 1817, one of the first special education schools was opened by Thomas Gallaudet in Hartford, Connecticut. This school was named the American Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, known today as The American School for the Deaf. (During this time, the word "dumb" referred to someone lacked the ability to speak). This school served as the blueprint for the education of deaf individuals for much of the 19th century. -
School for the Blind
Another school for disabled students was opened in 1829. The school is known as Perkins School for the Blind, and was founded by Samuel Gridley Howe in Watertown, Massachusetts. The school specializes in offering accessible education to individuals with visual impairments. The institution offers educational programs for ages birth through 22. The mission of Perkins School for the Blind is to improve the lives of the visually impaired. Historical figure Helen Keller happens to be an alumna. -
Brown vs Board of Education
Brown v BOE video Brown vs Board of Education is court case that took place in 1954. This court case happened as a result of a father being upset that his daughter had to walk a long distance to reach her black-only school, when there was a white-only school that was way closer to their home. This case prohibited any sort of racial segregation in schools, for it is unconstitutional. After this case, no school may deny admission on the basis of race. -
Learning Disabilities Association
The Learning Disabilities Association of America, also known as LDA, is a non-profit organization founded in 1964. LDA was created after a 1963 conference in which parents and professionals agreed that their children required services that catered to their disabilities, but these services were not available nor did they even exist. Today, LDA continues to provide services and programs to those individuals with learning disabilities who greatly benefit from the organization's help. -
Autism Society of America
Autism Society of America video The Autism Society of America was founded in 1965 with the goal of assisting those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Their mission is to facilitate and enrich the lives of autistic individuals. The organization connects people with autism to resources, including education, which provide them with valuable opportunities and benefits. -
ESEA Law
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Public Law 89-10), also known as ESEA, was created in 1965 in order to support families with limited resources. Low-income families benefit from ESEA, for this law grants them the ability to access quality education programs for their children. ESEA also made free and reduced lunch possible for those students who need it. Extra support from public schools was also granted to those students who required it thanks to the ESEA law. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act (Public Law 93-112, Section 504), was passed in 1973. This law not only provides the definition of what it means to be a handicapped individual, but it also defines appropriate education. Additionally, this law bans federally funded programs from discriminating against disabled students. -
EAHCA is Passed
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142, Part B), also known as EACHA, was passed by President Ford in 1975. This law was the first to define least restrictive environments, and required states to provide proper, free education to to disabled students within the age range of five to 18. This law, also known as the mainstreaming law, also required the usage of individualized education programs, or IEPs. -
Regular Education Initiative
In 1986, Madeline Will proposed the Regular Education Initiative, also known as REI. This initiative's goal was to eliminate the division of special education students and general education students. The initiative strived to integrate special education students into the regular classroom with the rest of their peers. The movement received much criticism, and there is still debate regarding this concept. There is still a divide between special education and general education classrooms. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (Public Law 99-45), also known as ADA, is a law passed in 1990. After the passing of ADA, disabled individuals are not to be discriminated against in the private sector. Not only this, but this law provides the protection of equal opportunity to employment, transport, accommodations, etc. for all. Lastly, this law defines disability and includes those with AIDS as disabled individuals. -
Florida Consent Decree
The Florida Consent Decree is a piece of legislation passed in the state of Florida in 1990. This decree was passed in order to acknowledge and protect the civil rights of English Language Learner students, also known as ELLs. According to the Florida Consent Decree, ELLs are to be provided with equal access to education. As per the decree, ELLs must be provided with the same learning opportunities and receive the same quality education as their peers. -
IDEA is Passed
In 1990, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Public Law 101-476), also known as IDEA was passed, replacing the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This law added autism and brain damage as categories of disability, requires the provision of bilingual education programs for disabled students, and more. Additionally, this law established what is known as "people first" language when disabled individuals are being referred to. -
IDEA is Amended
President Clinton's Statement on Signing IDEA The Individuals with Disabilities Act (Public Law 101-476), also known as IDEA, was designed to create a more inclusive environment in the classroom for disabled students. IDEA states that disabled students must be included in statewide and districtwide assessments. IDEA also requires proper IEP objectives and goals. -
IDEA becomes IDEIA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (Public Law 108-446), also known as IDEIA, was passed in 2004. This law allows districts to utilize response to intervention during the process of determining whether or not a student possesses a certain disability. This piece of legislation also provides more federal funding for early intervention services and eliminates short-term goals in individualized education programs.