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Pre-1900s
People with intellectual disabilities are referred to as "feebleminded" and "imbeciles." At this time, people with intellectual disabilities are excluded from society because they are viewed as socially and physically inferior. Many negative societal behaviors like crime and promiscuity are deemed as characteristics of the feebleminded. Keeping those with intellectual disabilities away from the general public was the goal as to not tempt them with sinful behaviors. -
1876- American Association for the Study of the Feeble-Minded
The American Association for the Study of the Feeble-Minded is created. This association would hold annual conferences and discuss advances in research regarding intellectual disabilities. In 1927, association members were planning on holding their annual meeting to discuss the importance and progressivism in sterilization. -
1880s- The Start of the Eugenics Movement
Eugenics first emerged in the late 19th century by Francis Galton, a relative of Charles Darwin. Galton used Darwin's concepts of evolution and natural selection as a means to rid society of undesirable genetic traits. Later, Eugenics was applied to discriminatory practices of isolating those who were "feebleminded," physically handicapped, deaf or blind, as well as those who were poor, a minority or of lower social stature than the general public. -
1904- Mental Defectives by Martin Barr
Martin Barr publishes the first textbook on intellectual disabilities. In his book, he describes ID as a hereditary ailment. -
1907- Involuntary Sterilization
At the height of the Eugenics movement in the US, Indiana passed a mandatory, yet involuntary, sterilization law that forced those with intellectual disabilities to be sterilized without their knowledge or consent. Those affected were often housed in institutions for the feebleminded. -
1933- American Association on Mental Deficiency
In 1933, the American Association for the Study of the Feeble Minded officially changes its name to the American Association on Mental Deficiency. -
1941- Official Definition of Mentally Retarded
Edgar Doll develops the first official and clinical definition of mental retardation. In his definition, he includes 6 essential components including: "social incompetence, due to mental subnormality, which has been developmentally arrested, which obtains at maturity, is of constitutional origin, and is essentially incurable." -
1930-1950- The Peak of Institutions
From 1930-1950, institutions hold more than 140,000 feebleminded patients. During this time, sterilization numbers rapidly increase as more than 27,000 people with intellectual disabilities are forcibly sterilized. -
1950- The National Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Retarded Children
In 1950, members from several parent advocacy groups join together to from The National Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Retarded Children. This is the first large, and widely known advocacy group for children with intellectual disabilities. The National Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Retarded Children will later be known as The National Association for Retarded Children. -
1954- Brown v Board of Education
In 1954, historical ruling in Brown v Board of Education deems segregated schools to be unconstitutional. While most notably attributed to racial integration, Brown v Board of Education laid the foundation for intellectual disability advocacy groups to pursue litigation. -
1958- PL 85-926
In 1958, President Eisenhower enacts Public Law 85-962, also known as the Education of Mentally Retarded Children Act. This act is the first step in funding and developing special education training for teachers. -
1959- Mentally Retarded
In 1959, society drops the terms feebleminded and mentally deficient in describing those with intellectual disabilities. The new term, mentally retarded, is fully adopted. -
1960- NADS was Founded
In 1960, the National Association for Down Syndrome is founded in Chicago by Kay McGee, who had a daughter with Down Syndrome. This is the oldest Down Syndrome advocacy group. Because at this time the term Down Syndrome was not used, the original name for the group was Mongoloid Development Council (MDC). -
1961- The President's Panel on Mental Retardation
President Kennedy establishes the President's Panel on Mental Retardation to research the necessity for treatment, care, education, employment and training, legal protection and development of social programs at the federal and state levels. The Task Force determined that the mentally retarded had the ability to become functional members of society and brought national awareness for the need of fully funded programming. -
1965- The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was passed by Lyndon Johnson to establish federal education funding. This will later help establish funding for students with disabilities, including those who were deaf, blind and intellectually disabled. Further, an amendment a year later would establish Title VI of ESEA which provides grants for educational programs for students with disabilities. The Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA) would later replace Title VI of ESEA. -
1967- Institutionalization is at an All Time High
In 1967, the institutionalization rates of those with intellectual disabilities are the highest it has ever been according to the census. At this time, nearly 200,000 individuals are living in institutions. -
1968- The Special Olympics are Formed
In 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver finds the Special Olympics in honor of her sister Rosemary. First beginning as Camp Shriver in 1962, Shriver's efforts soon evolved into the Special Olympics. The first international games are held later that year (1968)in Chicago. The Special Olympics are an all-inclusive athletic association that now spans worldwide, with more than 4.7 million active members with intellectual disabilities in 170 countries. -
1970s- The Term Down Syndrome is First Used
While Down Syndrome was discovered nearly 100 years prior, Down Syndrome replaces the term Mongolism in describing those with the disability in the early 1970s. -
1971- Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Gaining traction after the Brown v Board of Education decision, the PARC files a lawsuit against the state of Pennsylvania, citing educational discrimination. PARC v Pennsylvania establishes a free and appropriate public education for all children, including those with intellectual disabilities. -
1972- Mills v Board of Education
Soon after PARC v Pennsylvania, a lawsuit on behalf of 7 students with disabilities was filed against District of Columbia's Board of Education. This suit determined that these students were unconstitutionally held out of public education without the proper due-process as outlined by the 14th Amendment. Mills v Board of Education addressed important due process guidelines and procedural safeguards for students with disabilities. -
1973- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
In 1973, PL 93-113, or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is passed. In it included Section 504, which was the first federal civil rights act that protected the rights of people with disabilities. Section 504 defines the "handicapped person" as "any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more that person's major life activities..." This law further limited any discriminatory practices of people with disabilities by a publically funded agency. -
1974- The Education Amendments of 1974
In 1974, PL 93-380, or the Education Amendments of 1974, were established as an addition to the EHA as a response to PARC v Pennsylvania and Mills v Board of Education. These amendments created the National Advisory Council on Handicapped Children and required that in order to receive federal special education funding, states must establish goals for "full educational opportunities for all children with disabilities." It also provided information on the least restrictive environment guidelines. -
1975- The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (EAHCA), or PL 94-142, required states to provide a free and appropriate public education for all students with disabilities aged 3-21. It also outlined nondiscriminatory eligibility testing and placement, the least restrictive environment, and due process from other court rulings. Another notable outcome of EAHCA was the creation of the IEP. Further, it established guidelines for federal funding distribution from SEAs to LEAs. -
1979- Syracuse's The Community Imperative
Syracuse University publishes The Community Imperative which describes the significance of community involvement of people with disabilities. The Center on Human Policy describes the need for community involvement and deinstitutionalization of people with disabilities and declares "that all human beings, regardless of nature and severity of disability, are inherently valuable, have fundamental rights, and are capable of learning, growth, and development." -
1986- The Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1986
The Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1986 ensured that any attorney's fees resulting from educational lawsuits could be returned to the parents should they win their court case. -
1986- The Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986
The Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986 established the need for early intervention of children aged 0-3 with developmental disabilities. This would later become a significant part of IDEA -
1990- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990, more notably known as IDEA, replaces EAHCA. IDEA replaces the word handicapped with disability and established the practice of people-first language. The law also added Autism and TBI to the list of eligible disabilities, as well as clarified related services, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services. Further, IEPs would now be required in students 16 and over, with a provision of the Transition Plan or services. -
1990- The Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA is passed in 1990 and protects basic human and civil rights for all with disabilities. The law bans discriminatory practices and requires equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities. It also requires public accessibility to buildings and transportation. -
1996- First Organ Transplant in an Intellectually Disabled Person
Prior to 1996, people with intellectual disabilities were excluded from receiving organ transplants. In 1996, however, Sandra Jensen, a person with Down Syndrome, receives a heart and liver transplant. -
1997- IDEA Amendments
In 1997, IDEA was reauthorized to improve the implementation of the existing law. It now emphasized student achievement as an indicator of a quality education. -
2002- No Child Left Behind Act
In 2002, No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was passed as a reauthorization of ESEA. NCLB included students with disability in achievement accountability programs and determined that they must be assessed in state and national standardized tests. -
2002- The President's Commision on Excellence in Special Education
Soon after NCLB, President Bush created the President's Commision on Excellence in Special Education in an effort to improve special education practices in schools and alignment to NCLB. The commission's report found 3 major recommendations: 1. special education should focus on achievement results, 2. prevention should be a priority with early identification and intervention, and 3. special and general education must share responsibility in students with disabilities' achievement. -
2004- The Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004
The Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004 is the most recent reauthorization of IDEA. It established regulations of highly qualified special education teachers, removed objective requirements in the IEP, updated eligibility requirements for students with learning disabilities, and encouraged RTI models for learning disability determinations. IDEA 2004 also requires teaching methodology to be scientifically research based. -
2010- Mentally Retarded is Dropped
In 2010, during the 35th anniversary of IDEA, the term mentally retarded is dropped from all federal laws and is replaced with intellectual disability. Intellectual Disability is now the appropriate term in all aspects of society.