A History of Higher Education Policy for Students with Disabilities

Founding of Harvard University

Sep 8, 1636

Harvard University is founded on September 8, 1636, as the first college in what would become the United States of America. History. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.harvard.edu/about-harvard/harvard-glance/history Coat of arms [online image]. Retrieved from http://www.academia.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/harvard-seal.png

First

Apr 8, 1864

In the 228th year of America's first college, President Lincoln signs a charter establishing the National College for the Deaf and Dumb becoming America's first institution of higher education for people with disabilities. Coogan, M. (2010). Gallaudet U and Pres Abraham Lincoln. Retrieved from http://www.gallaudet.edu/news/mr_gu_lincoln_april2010.html President Lincoln [online image]. Retrieved from http://huntingtonblogs.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Lincoln-Bday-2012-A.jpg

National Deaf-Mute College

Sep 1, 1864

The National Deaf-Mute College opens in the fall of 1864. Madaus, J. W. (2011, Summer). The history of disability services in higher education. New Directions for Higher Education, 2011(154), 5-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/he.429 Gallaudet University [online image]. Retrieved from http://www.gallaudet.edu/Images/Academic/ATLAS/Archives/College%20Hall%20Chapel%20Hall%20Fowler%20Hall(0).jpg

Gallaudet College

May 2, 1894

As a sign of progress in recognizing the dignity of people with disabilities, National Deaf-Mute College is renamed Gallaudet College. Madaus, J. W. (2011, Summer). The history of disability services in higher education. New Directions for Higher Education, 2011(154), 5-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/he.429 Diploma [online image]. Retrieved from http://www.gallaudet.edu/images/institutional/diplomas/large_1950_KNorton.jpg

Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1918

Jun 27, 1918

The Act empowers the federal government to provide financial assistance to veterans of World War I with disabilities for vocational education. Madaus, J. W. (2011, Summer). The history of disability services in higher education. New Directions for Higher Education, 2011(154), 5-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/he.429 WWI Soldiers [online image]. Retrieved from http://www.oldpicz.com/picz/2016/03/Chemical-weapon-used-in-World-War-I-8.jpg

G. I. Bill

Jun 22, 1944

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, commonly known as the G. I. Bill of Rights, providing numerous benefits to World War II veterans including payments for tuition and associated expenses for those veterans wishing to enroll in higher education. Hindley, M. (2014). A new deal for veterans. (cover story). Humanities, 35(4), 16. GI-Bill [online image]. Retrieved from http://www.lessonpaths.com/learn/i/1950s-culture/gi-bill-1

Disabled Veterans on Campus

Sep 2, 1955

In the decade following the end of World War II, eight million veterans, many of them disabled during the war, take advantage of the G. I. Bill of Rights enrolling in higher education. Madaus, J. W. (2011, Summer). The history of disability services in higher education. New Directions for Higher Education, 2011(154), 5-15. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/yourhoustonnews.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/d2/ed2b5826-a4cd-53f0-9f6d-e745a2752cf3/57a25a286dac9.image.jpg

Learning Disabilities

Apr 6, 1963

Dr. Samuel Kirk coins the phrase "learning disabilities" ushering in a new era in scholarship and research into the mental and behavioral challenges faced by many individuals. Introduction to learning disabilities. (n.d.). NASET LD Report, 1-10. Retrieved from http://www.naset.org/fileadmin/user_upload/LD_Report/LD_Report_1_Intro_to_LD.doc.pdf Kirk [online image]. Retrieved from https://illinois.edu/lb/files/2014/11/21/55055.jpg

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Sep 26, 1973

President Nixon signs the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 providing protections and safeguards for people with disabilities both physical and developmental. Specifically, Section 504 addresses educational opportunities for students at all levels of public education. Disability.gov. (n.d.). Rehabilitation act of 1973. Retrieved from https://www.disability.gov/rehabilitation-act-1973/ Thumbs up [online image]. Retrieved from http://marijuanapolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/nixon-thumbs-up.jpg

Read His Lips

Jul 26, 1990

President Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act which prohibits discrimination against and requires "reasonable accommodations" for individuals with disabilities which is the guiding principle for educational institutions today regarding students with disabilities. Introduction to the ADA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ada.gov/ada_intro.htm ADA signing [online image]. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/image_file/2_photo_gb_signs_ada_1990_web.jpg

The Future

Sep 17, 2026

With increasing sophistication of assistive technologies, the future looks brighter for individuals with physical disabilities than it ever has. Increasing knowledge of brain chemistry is providing insight into many brain-related conditions including learning disabilities. Hopefully, the ADA of 1990 will be the last last legislative action needed for quite some time. Bionic man [online image]. Retrieved from https://earthspeaksout.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/the-real-bionic-man.gif