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First Federal Law with Disabilities
The first federal laws designed to assist individuals with disabilities date back to the early days of the nation. In 1798, the Fifth Congress passed the first federal law concerned with the care of persons with disabilities. U.S. President John Adams signed the act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, July 16, 1798.This law authorized a Marine Hospital Service to provide medical services to sick and disabled seamen. -
Medical Classification of Mental Disorders
Phillipe Pinel writes Treatise on Insanity in which he develops a four-part medical classification for the major mental illnesses: melancholy, dementia, mania without delirium, and mania with delirium. -
Formal Deaf Education Begins in the U.S.
Thomas H. Gallaudet founded the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons in Hartford, Connecticut. It is the first permanent school for the deaf in America. The opening of its doors, on April 15, 1817, marks the beginning of efforts in America to educate people with disabilities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laXGu99LZ6s -
First Public Special Education Class
One positive event of this era was the beginning of special education. As teachers in public schools became aware of the increasing numbers of students with learning disabilities, they called for special classes and teachers to educate them. Rhode Island opened the first public special education class in the U.S. in 1896. By 1923, almost 34,000 students were in special education classes. -
First special education class in Florida
Florida started its first special education class in 1926 in Jacksonville. Since then, specially designed instruction and related services have expanded throughout Florida. Now, approximately 360,000 students identified as having a disability are participating in Florida’s public education system. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The ESEA was passed by the 89th United States Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1965. The act provides federal funding to primary and secondary education, with funds authorized for professional development, instructional materials, resources to support educational programs, and parental involvement promotion. The act emphasizes equal access to education, providing federal funding to support schools with children from impoverished families. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 makes it illegal for federal agencies, public universities, and other public institutions receiving any federal funds to discriminate on the basis of disability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P0vb9H4Sdo -
Education for Handicapped Children Act
Guarantees a free, appropriate, public education for all children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. The act contained a provision stating that students with disabilities should be placed in least restrictive environment (LRE) in order to allow the maximum possible opportunity to interact with non-disabled peers. https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/special-education-basics/least-restrictive-environment-lre-what-you-need-to-know -
FDLRS and Transition Services
Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) responsibilities expanded to include technology.
Transition Services Projects funded to implement supported employment for secondary students with significant disabilities. -
Assistive Technology Initiative
The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (P.L. 100-407) was first passed in 1988. It was designated as a systems change grant and is often called the "Tech Act" for short. Congress passed this legislation to increase access to, availability of, and funding for assistive technology through state efforts and national initiatives. The 1998 law reaffirmed that technology is a valuable tool that can be used to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
This ensured the equal treatment and equal access of people with disabilities to employment opportunities and to public accommodations. The ADA was intended to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, services rendered by state and local governments, places of public accommodation, transportation, and telecommunications services. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The EHA was reformulated as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA elaborated on the inclusion of children with disabilities into regular classes and also focused on the rights of parents to be involved in the education decisions affecting their children. IDEA required that an Individualized Education Program (IEP) be designed with parental approval to meet the needs of every child with a disability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66g6TbJbs2g -
IDEA was reauthorized
In addition to upholding the rights outlined in previous legislation. The act emphasized academic outcomes for students with disabilities. This involved raising expectations for students, supporting students who follow the general curriculum, supporting parents, and helping states determine appropriate outcomes. With the focus on outcomes, school-to-work transition planning gained new importance. -
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) was a U.S. Act of Congress that reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; it included Title I provisions applying to disadvantaged students. It supported standards-based education reform based on the premise that setting high standards and establishing measurable goals could improve individual outcomes in education. The Act required states to develop assessments in basic skills. -
Re-authorization of IDEA
The reauthorization of IDEA in 2004 Congress reiterated that special education and related services should be designed to meet students’ unique needs.” In addition, they stated that students with disabilities should have “access to the general education curriculum in the regular classroom, to the maximum extent possible.” -
Response to Intervention (RTI)
The use of “scientific, research-based interventions,” known as Response to Intervention (RTI) also began because of the changes in the 2004 IDEA law. These interventions, which are started in general education before students are given special education services, are called “multitiered systems of support” (MTSS) in ESSA. https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/rti/understanding-response-to-intervention -
IDEA and NCLB alignment
The reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed into law on Dec. 3, 2004, by President George W. Bush. The provisions of the act became effective on July 1, 2005, with the exception of some of the elements pertaining to the definition of a “highly qualified teacher” that took effect upon the signing of the act. -
Access Points on State Standards
Sunshine State Standards adopted for reading, mathematics, and language arts include access points for students with disabilities. -
Florida's Assessment and Accountability
K–20 education performance accountability system to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Florida Alternate Assessment (reading, language, math, and science) administered statewide. -
Florida Requirements to Post Secondary Education
Access requirements to post secondary education for individuals with intellectual disabilities changed with the amendment of section 1004.015, Florida Statutes, to allow reasonable substitutions for entry, admission to a program of study, and graduation requirements, as is currently provided to other students with disabilities.
