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American School for the Deaf
The American School for the Deaf opened in 1817 and paved the way for special education as a whole. The school's opening inspired other schools across the nation to open and provide opportunity to youth with disabilities. However, the school and others like it were aimed at children, not yet reaching the secondary level. -
Columbia Institution (Collegiate)
In February of 1857 The Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind opens. The school is one of the first to appear at the collegiate level.The school opened in Washington, DC. and catered to students afflicted with blindness, the inability to speak, and deafness. -
Cuyahoga Council for Retarded Citizens
The Cuyahoga County Council for the Retarded Child was established. This group led by parents of children with developmental disabilities, was founded to assist children of the region who had been excluded from their public schools. The small council fights and wins, making it an important victory. -
Elementary & Secondary Education Act
A law that supported low-income families by giving access to high-quality education programs. It also included free and reduced lunch to students and funded more teachers. This law applied to children who could benefit from public school education. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act defined what and who qualified as a handicapped person. It also defines what can be deemed as appropriate education. The law prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in federally funded programs. -
Educational Amendments Act
The Educational Amendments Act grants federal funds to states for programming for exceptional learners. It provides the first federal funding of state programs for students who are gifted and talented. This act also grants students and families the right of due process in special education placement. -
Edu for All Handicapped Children Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act is known as the Mainstreaming Law. The law requires states to provide a free and appropriate public education for minors with disabilities (ages 5 to 18). It also requires individualized education programs (IEPs) and is the first document that defined least restrictive environment. -
Edu of the Handicapped Act Amendments
In 1986 the amendments required states to extend free and appropriate education to children with disabilities (ages 3 to 5). It also establishes early intervention programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities (ages birth to 2 years) -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The American with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the private sector. It provides and protects equal opportunity to employment and public services, accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. The act also defined disability to include people with AIDS. -
Individuals w/ Disabilities Edu Act (IDEA)
Replaces former law and establishes “people-first” language for referring to people with disabilities. It extends special education services to include social work, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services. Provided provisions for due process and confidentiality for students and parents. Added two new categories of disability: autism and traumatic brain injury. Requires the development of individualized transition programs for students with disabilities by age 16. -
Individuals w/ Disabilities Edu Improv Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act allows districts to use a response-to-intervention (RTI) model for determining whether a child has a specific learning disability. Increases federal funds to provide early intervention services to students who do not need special education or related services. It eliminates use of short-term objectives in an IEP.