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The First Description of Down Syndrome
In 1866, John Langdon Down, an English doctor, was the first person to publish a description of people with Down Syndrome. He wrote the paper titled, "Ethnic Classifications of Idiots" and described the physical characteristics of what we now call Down Syndrome. John Langdon Down called these characteristics Mongolism at the time of publication. (Robays, 2016) -
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Institutionalization of Children with Down Syndrome
According to the National Association for Down Syndrome (2018), parents were encouraged to send their infants with Down Syndrome to state institutions shortly after birth. Doctors often told families that the children were "less than human" and that the family would be unable to care for their needs. These children spent their lives in institutions and did not receive an education. (NADS, 2018) -
Beattie v. Board of Education
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that a student with a disability could be expelled and excluded from public school because the characteristics of the disability "nauseated" other students and the teacher and had a general negative effect on the school environment. (Yell, 2016) -
Brown vs. Board of Education
The decision in Brown vs. BOE effectively ended segregation in schools based on race. The court ruled that segregated public schools were unconstitutional (Yell, 2016) This decision paved the way for disability advocates to end discrimination based on disability. -
Department of Public Welfare v. Haas
In this case, the Supreme Court of Illinois ruled that students who were "feeble minded" were not subject to compulsory attendance laws because these students were "unable to reap the benefits of a good education" (Yell, 2016, p. 36). -
The Discovery of Trisomy 21
According to Andre Megarbane et al. (2009), Jerome Lejeune identified the fact that Down Syndrome is caused by an extra chromsome on number 21 in 1959. -
The Creation of the National Association for Down Syndrome
The National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS) was founded in 1960 by Kay McGee after giving birth to her daughter Tricia. The McGee's refused to follow the advice of doctors to institutionalize Tricia and instead took her home. Kay formed NADS to create a support system for other parents and find resources for their children with Down Syndrome. (NADS, 2018) -
The Term Down Syndrome is Created
According to Robays (2016), in the 1960's, groups of citizens became increasingly upset by the term Mongolism and initiatives were started to change the name. In 1965, John Langdon Down's grandson gave permission to use the name Down to identify the syndrome and the World Health Organization officially renamed the syndrome (p. 136). -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
President Johnson passed the Elementary and Secondary Act in 1965. The purpose of this legislation was to provide federal funding to states in order to educate children with disabilities. This included children in state-run schools. (Yell, 2016) -
The Education of the Handicapped Act
The Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA) replaced the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. EHA was landmark legislation because it mandated that students with disabilities be educated, it required these students to receive special education and related services necessary for progression, and it was the first freestanding special education law. (Yell, 2016 -
Mills v. Board of Education
Parents of children with disabilities brought suit against the District of Columbia's Board of Education for excluding children with disabilities from public schools. The court ruled that it was unconstitutional to exclude students with disabilities and mandated a publicly supported education. (Yell, 2016) -
PARC v. Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens brought suit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for not providing a public education to students with intellectual disabilities. The court ruled that all children between the age of 6 and 21 with an intellectual disability have a right to a free public education in a similar environment to their typically developing peers. (Yell, 2016) -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
The EAHCA was the backbone for today's special education legislation. This piece of legislation required all states to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21. Furthermore, EAHCA created procedures for evaluation and placement, procedural safeguards, the inclusion of parents in decision making, educating students in the least restrictive environment, and the Individualized Education Program (IEP). (Yell, 2016) -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) renamed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The IDEA replaced the term handicap with disability, added the disability categories of Autism and traumatic brain injury, used people first language, and required transition planning for students age 16 and older. (Yell, 2016) -
No Child Let Behind Act
President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2002. This piece of legislation was surrounding accountability of schools for student achievement. Specifically, it held schools accountable for the progress and achievement of students with disabilities. (Yell, 2016)
