-
First federal law
In 1798, the Fifth Congress passed the first federal law concerned with the care of persons with disabilities (Braddock, 1987). This law authorized a Marine Hospital Service to provide medical services to sick and disabled seamen. The law authorized the creation of a government operated marine hospital service and mandated that privately employed sailors be required to purchase health care insurance. -
1896 Rhode Island
In 1896 Rhode Island opened the first public special education class in the U.S. This period was marked by the emergence of special education. Teachers in public schools became aware of the increasing numbers of students with learning disabilities who were labeled "backward" or "feebleminded," they called for special classes and teachers to educate them. Rhode Island decided to open the first public special education class in the U.S. -
Students in special education classes
In 1923, almost 34,000 students were in special education classes. In search of training techniques for these children, the schools turned to the institutions. Some institutions expanded their facilities to incorporate "special" schools. Other institutions offered classes to school teachers on training techniques. -
The rise of parent and family advocacy
In the 1930’s begin to see the rise of organized parent and family advocacy. The parent groups began to band together on a national level. These groups worked to make changes in their own communities and, consequently, set the stage for changes on a national level. Two of the most influential parent advocacy groups were the National Association for Retarded Citizens, and the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. -
Normalization
In 1959, a group of parents in Denmark organized to petition their government for better treatment of their sons and daughters with mental retardation. They put into very simple terms the concept of "normalization."The concept did not refer to making people "normal," to make them behave a certain way, but rather to live according to a normal pattern. -
President Kennedy Panel
In 1962, President Kennedy formed the President's Panel on Mental Retardation. President Kennedy Panel on Mental Retardation spent a year busily gathering information interpreting data, and debating solutions. They reconciled competing agendas and submitted their report ahead of deadline. At the meeting with the presidents, they presented more than 100 recommendations for a comprehensive federal approach to intellectual disabilities and urged him to think and plan boldly. -
Special Olympics
In 1968 the first Special Olympics summer games took place in Chicago.About 1500 athletes from the U.S. and Canada took part in the one-day event, which was a joint venture by the Kennedy Foundation and the Chicago Park District. Anne McGlone Burke, a physical education teacher with the Chicago Park District and recipient of a Kennedy Foundation grant.Started with the idea for a one-time Olympic-style athletic competition for people with special needs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ouJKw2_TMI -
Ed Roberts
In 1972 Ed Roberts helped found the Center for Independent Living, which furthered a nuts-and-bolts approach to solving the problems of people with disabilities, including help in modifying cars and vans to enable them to drive. A referral service was organized to develop a pool of reliable aides to help disabled people bathe, eat and dress. http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/disabled-rights-activist-honored-by-google/3688192.html -
IDEA 1990's
In the 1990s the full inclusion movement called for educating all students with disabilities in the regular classroom with a single, unified and responsive education system. Advocates for full inclusion, following in the footsteps of Howe, argued for appropriate instruction in a single, ubiquitous place, contrary to the mandate of IDEA. -
President Clinton
In 1997, President Clinton signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA), P.L. 105-17. This legislation guarantees a free and appropriate public education for more than 5 million children with disabilities and prohibits states from eliminating educational services to students with disabilities under any circumstances. NASW played a significant role in this legislative victory for children and social
