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Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb
In 1817 an asylum in connecticut was used to help children who were deaf or "dumb" which meant they were unable to talk. By having parents advocating for their children they were able to open up a small school after learning that there were many more children in their community that were also deaf. This lead to the opening of The American School for the Deaf located in Alabama that helped many students over the years. -
The Eugenics Movement
The Eugenics Movement was a time during the late nineteenth to early twentieth century where they encouraged selective breeding. In the early twentieth century states across the United States sterilized anyone who would be considered that of imperfect mental or physical ability. In this video former US senator Tom Harkin discusses the tradgedies that occured for those with disabilities.
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Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation
Joseph's parents created this foundation after he died in World War II to advocate for mental retardation with monetary donations, research and education. While doing this they also started programs to allow people with special needs to participate in recreational activities and programs which then led to the beginning of the Special Olympics in 1968. -
Advocating for Mental Health
John F. Kennedy signed the Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendment to the Social Security Act which allowed states to have more funding to help those with intellectual disabilities and the ability to provide more resources and educate those who are working with these individuals. This was the beginning for people with disabilities.
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Special Olympics
1968 was the beginning of change for those with intellectual disabilities. This paved the way for indiviuals to show that their needs didn't mean they were incapable of learning and doing everyday things, but that they needed to be done differently. The first one was held in Chicago and was a worldwide movement that paved the way for young people with disabilities and made people see them differently. -
Disabled in Action
In 1970 Judith Heumann founded the Disabled in Action organization that protected people with disabilities and their civil rights. What inspired Judith was her own experiences growing up through the system of being "different". As a young child she was diagnosed with polio and it left her wheel chair bonud. Her mother who advocated for her to get into public school inspired her to do the same to help all those who were considered different. -
PARC
The Pennsylvania Association for Retarted Children fought to advocate that children no matter what mental age capacity has a right to education and that they can benefit from being in a school setting. This prompted the court to rule in favor and allow children the right to free public education no matter what their abilities were. -
The Education for Handicapped Children Act of 1975
This act was a very important step of inclusion learning for students with disabilities. This allowed parents to have a say in what they feel their children need along with allowing these children to have as much of an educational experience as those without special needs. It also states that children should be placed in a less restrictive learning environment so that they can work with and interact with students who aren't disabled. -
Cedar Rapids vs Garret F. Garret
Garret was paralyzed due to an accident at a young age. Even though physically he faced challenges, his mental capapcity was still as strong as any other student he would be in school with. By advocating for Garret they were able to get him the services that he needed in order to be included into a classroom and be in a less restrictive learning environment because he could function mentally. -
Our System is Broken
According to an article written by Christina A. Samuels on www.edweek.org she talks about how the IDEA Act doesn't fit with our growing needs for special education. More and more children are being diagnosed, and less and less resources and funding are available. Children who need services that qualify for them are being rendered with interventions to help "solve the problem" and aren't being given the proper help.
