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American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb
On April 15, of the year 1817, the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb opened at Hartford, Connecticut. It was the first school for the deaf in the United States, and had a total of seven students its inaugural year. Over time, a combination of private donations and financial support from the state and federal government, allowed the Asylum to offer a free education to the students that attended. -
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is the older professional association that concerns itself with the intellectual and developmental disabilities of individuals. It advocates for the equality, rights, inclusion and participation of these individuals. -
The Council for Exceptional Children
On May 16, 1922, a group of administrators and supervisors, led by Elizabeth E. Farrell created The Council for Exceptional Children in order to create professional standards and ethics for special education. Today, the CEC assures that individuals with exceptionalities have well prepared educators that support their learning needs.
For more information on the CEC and to better understand their mission, watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA4wwIyXT74 -
Brown v. Board of Education
In the year 1954, the United States Supreme Court overturned the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision, declaring that separate but equal public facilities (including public schools), were not in fact equal. This decision helped break state-sponsored segregation and set the table for the advancement of the rights of people with exceptionalities.
For more information, visit:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/history/index.html -
President Kenedy, Public Law 88-164
President John F. Kennedy becomes very involved in special education. In November of 1960, Public Law 88-164 is enacted, for the funding for research and community facilities of the mentally retarded. Throughout Kennedy’s presidency, much was done to assist this population in the United States. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This act prohibits the discrimination of people with disabilities in programs that are run by federal agencies. These programs include any agencies that receive federal financial assistance. The types of discrimination included are in education, employment, building accessibility, along with health, welfare and social services. -
PL94-142: Education for all Handicapped Children Act
This act had four purposes, it guaranteed free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to handicapped children. It assured the protection of the rights of children with disabilities and their parents. It also assisted States and localities in order to be able to provide for the education of these children. Lastly, it served as a way to assess and assure the effectiveness of efforts to educate all children with disabilities. -
National Council on Disability
The National Council on Disabilities was transformed into an independent agency in the year 1984. The NCD is charged with reviewing federal disability programs and has a major role in analyzing the needs of people with disabilities. It helps craft policy solutions and advises congress on the matter. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
ADA became a law in 1990, it prohibits the discrimination against any individual with disabilities in all areas of public life. These areas include; jobs, transportation, schools and public/private places open to the general public for visitation. It serves to guarantee public accommodations, employment and transportation for any state or local government service. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Originally known as the Education of Handicapped Children Act, in the year 1990, amendments to the law were passed and it was renamed Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). There are six core principles to IDEA, which include; zero reject, free appropriate public education, protection in evaluation, least restrictive environment, procedural safeguards and parental participation. -
IDEA 1997 Amendments
These amendments served to further the rights of students with disabilities. It insured all students would have access to the general education curriculum under the least restrictive environment. It also allowed for the consideration of assistive technologies in an IEP, and the use of a school purchased AT in a child's home or in another setting if it was needed to insure they are receiving a FAPE. -
IDEA 2004
The Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004 contained changes to several important areas. Among these changes were the methods used in order to identify students with learning disabilities, early intervention services, insuring highly qualified teachers, the discipline of students, and meeting accessibility standards.
