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First Special Education School
The first permanent school of special education is the American School for the Deaf which was originally known as The American Asylum. It was founded by Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet on April 15, 1817 in Hartford, Ct. The founder(s) of this school created the world known language, American Sign Language. The founding of this school helped changed the way society saw people with disabilities and paved the way for other schools for the deaf that were opening during this time period. -
First School for the Blind
The first school for the blind is Perkins, founded in 1829 by Samuel H. in Watertown, MA. This school provided education and different resources to the blind and visually impaired students with other disabilities. In 1838, the total enrollment increased to 65 students making the school relocate and extend resources. Production of braille books started, eventually leading to the first Perkins Braille to be designed and built. This famous school is now known as Perkins School for the Blind. -
The Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children was founded by Elizabeth F. and was formed by a group of educators starting off with 12 members. Their goal was to advocate for the educational professionals and students with disabilities to help ensure that high-quality education was given. They also promoted a number of things such as inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility. CEC contributed to greater awareness on acceptance of children with disabilities as they educated the public and set standards. -
The Arc of the United States
Groups of parents came together to form what is now known as The Arc because they wanted a better life for their children that did not involve institutionalization. This was the first organization to fund research on intellectual/developmental disabilities. Over the years, The Arc has worked with other organizations and continues to advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities ensuring that they are provided with inclusion throughout their lifetime. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a famous Supreme Court Case in America that aided in the decisions of future legislation regarding the rights of individuals with disabilities. This case declared that the state laws that separated white and brown children from attending the same public school was unconstitutional. National Archives -
PARC v. C.W. Pennsylvania
In this Supreme Court case, PARC brought the case against Pennsylvania due to multiple families not being able to get their disabled children into public schools. It challenged the state law of denying children who do not have the mental age of five an education. It ruled that the state was not allowed to deny a children access to FAPE and training. https://pubintlaw.org/cases-and-projects/pennsylvania-association-for-retarded-citizens-parc-v-commonwealth-of-pennsylvania/ -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act
The VRA was passed and helped prevent organizations, schools, places of employment, and any other federally funded programs from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. It made a huge impact on the basis of equal opportunities as it gave these individuals the opportunity to have access to full benefits and resources that were being given to the other students/employees who did not have a disability. This act also helped define what appropriate education is and a handicapped person. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This act was known as the mainstreaming law and was made to ensure that all children with disabilities received a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) that met their needs. It also was the first to define 'least restricted environment' and required the availability of individualized education programs (IEPs). This was later reenacted and changed to the IDEA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Xzvafi-Pg -
IDEA (Public Law 105-17)
The individuals with Disabilities Act was formally known as the EACHA, replaced in 1990, revised in 1977, and again in 2004. In the 1977 revision, it required schools to have greater responsibility in ensuring that students have access to general education, requires for all students to receive services even if expelled, required behavior management plans in IEPs, required disabled students to take district/state exams, needed a member of the IEP team to be a general education teacher and more. -
American Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was a civil rights law that prohibited the discrimination of individuals with disabilities in transportation, employment, communications, and access to government programs. It ensures that these individuals have equal opportunity in employment and any other public services as well as in the private sector and general education classrooms. The ADA also helps define disability including individuals with AIDS. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
NCLB aimed to improve the quality of education by holding schools accountable for the academic progress of students including those with disabilities. This law was meant to raise the standards for all children as well as help them meet these said standards. It was based on four different principles: increase in accountability, increase in flexibility, expanded the parents choice to choose schools, and implemented early reading interventions.