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Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet opens first school for those with disabilities in America
Prior to Gallaudet, educational institutions were not required to accommodate those with disabilities. Beyond that, there were no schools specifically for students with disabilities. In 1817, Gallaudet met a young, deaf girl that inspired him to create the "Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons". From here, Gallaudet aimed to educate and create fulfilling lives for the deaf community. This was the first of many institutions built across the U.S. -
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Additional Asylums Created
Over a period of forty-three years, twenty eight out of thirty-three states created asylums for children and young adults with disabilities. On average, those in attendance at the asylums were over eighteen years old. -
Samuel Gridley Howe fights to gain funding for a school for the disabled
Samuel Gridley Howe, a Brown and Harvard University graduate, became one of the first advocates for blind individuals. In 1846, Howe chose to advocate for the blind and open a school specifically for the blind and visually impaired. A debate between Howe and state legislature continued on for two years before the state granted funding for the "Experimental School for the Teaching and Training of Idiotic Children". -
Pedagogy in Education
Édouard Séguin, physician and educator, created a concrete concept of pedagogy in the world of education. Séguin proposed concepts such as small school sizes and rural-based locations for schools. Along with these strategies, Séguin also stated that these schools should have a focus on specific "training" such as fine and gross motor skills, socialization with others, and "sensory training". Throughout his lifetime, Séguin was continuously an advocate for children with cognitive impairments. -
Compulsory Education Laws
Although the late 1800's proved to be unkind to those with disabilities, the early 1900's turned that luck around. Throughout the 1900's to 1917, rights to students with disabilities working with special education teachers in school came about once more. Unfortunately, most of the educators at this time did not like the idea of teaching the special education students along with the general education classroom. This, in turn, brought about segregated classrooms for the disabled students. -
Sputnik Inspires Special Educational Reform
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched a 24 inch satellite into space, creating the very first satellite for Earth. As a result of the Sputnik launch, Americans decided that there needed to be improvements in our education system by means of "keeping up with the Joneses". This wave of reform included the improvement of special education classrooms for disabled children. -
President Kennedy Takes Action
Shortly after the launch of Sputnik, President John F. Kennedy began his advocacy in the world of special education. In November of 1960, President Kennedy and his panel enacted Public Law 88-164. Public Law 88-164 funding for research and community facilities for the mentally retarded. During the Kennedy presidency, there were many programs and acts that worked to serve and assist the mentally retarded population in the United States.
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Free and Appropriate Education for All
In 1971, the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) won a case against the Pennsylvania Department of Education regarding special education students. PARC's case was to provide rights to free and appropriate education for those with special needs. As a result, in September of 1972, schools were required by law to provide free and appropriate education for all students with disabilities ages six through twenty-one. -
The Rehabilitation Act
In 1973, the United States created the Rehabilitation Act. The Rehabilitation Act required equal access to federally funded programs, and appropriately structured facilities for all individuals (specifically pertaining to those with disabilities). The act also promised to continuously develop plans for individuals with disabilities who eventually may seek employment. It was at the time of the Rehabilitation Act that more modern advances in special education reform came about. -
Education for All Handicapped Children
In 1975, the United States Congress enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHC). The act required all public schools allow for students with physical and mental disabilities access to a free and appropriate public education. The EAHC act also mandated that children with disabilities be placed in the least restrictive environment (LRE). LRE is defined as the educational setting that allows a student with a disability to reach their fullest potential in the safest setting. -
The U.S. has an IDEA!
The original Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was created in 1997, and has since been one of the most important acts in special education today. The IDEA required that all students with disabilities be granted not only free and appropriate public education, but also that each student with disabilities receive an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). While attending a school that is in their LRE, educators were/ are also required to follow the student's IEP. -
No Child Left Behind
In January 2002, President George W. Bush enacted the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which promised increased funding for schools to properly educate students with disabilities. The NCLB act also promises for additional funding for schools with low socioeconomic status.
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Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) incorporated lesser known disabilities, broadening the spectrum of disability categories. One of the most crucial additions the ADA incorporated is the disability category of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
