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355
Aristotle's View on those with deafness, 355 BC
Aristotle says people who are born deaf "become senseless and incapable of reason" *Note this is 355 BC, but this timeline software doesn't support BC. http://archives.gallaudet.edu/Timeline.htm -
Jan 1, 1557
Girolamo Cardano argues for the education of deaf individuals.
Girolamo Cardano recognizes the ability of people with deafness to reason and argues for the importance of their education. -
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc open what becomes the American School for the Deaf
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc open what becomes the American School for the Deaf. It is here that American Sign Language is born. -
Louis Braille invents the Braille System
Louis Braille invents the Braille System, which consists of 6 dots raised on a page to allow reading with the fingertips. He publishes his first book in Braille in 1829. -
Period: to
American Civil War
The American Civil war leads to tens of thousands of amputations. -
Helen Keller born
Helen Keller is born. At 19 months of age, she contracts an illness which leaves her deaf and blind. She becomes a famous advocate for people with disabilities. -
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Contracts Polio
FDR contracts what is thought to be polio, becoming paralyzed from the waist down. He eventually goes on to become the 32nd President of the United States. -
Jonas Salk develops the polio vaccine
Jonas Salk develops the polio vaccine, dramatically reducing the cases of polio worldwide, which are down to 1,652 as of 2007. -
First Closed Captioning on Television show, "The French Chef"
Closed Captioning is used for the first time, allowing people with hearing disabilities to enjoy a television show. -
The Americans with Disabilities Act goes into effect
The Americans with Disabilities Act is passed, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability.
