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First Publicly-Funded School for Children with Hearing Impairments
Kentucky opened the first public school for students who were deaf. There were no public special education classes for students with other types of disabilities until 75 years later. Schools for students of color with disabilities were not available until 100 years later! Sadly, many children with disabilities were placed in institutions.
[Link text]https://ejournalofdisabilitylawandpolicy.wordpress.com/article/the-first-one-hundred-years-of-special-1y94ijr3ii5zl-2/ -
College Opened for Students with Hearing Impairments
President Abraham Lincoln signed the law creating a new degree-granting institution, now known as Gallaudet University, specifically for students who had hearing impairments. The first graduating class (1869) had their diplomas signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, and, ever since, all Gallaudet University diplomas have been signed by the current U.S. president. -
First Public School Special Education Class
Providence, Rhode Island, offered the first special education classes held inside regular public schools were dedicated to providing academic and handiwork training to students with cognitive disabilities. They began in 1896, then added two more classes in 1897 and 1898. A fascinating article, published in 1904, details the growth of special education in Providence as well as in Philadelphia and New York.
[Link text]http://www.disabilitymuseum.org/dhm/lib/detail.html?id=1742&print=1 -
Founding of The Arc of the United States
A group of concerned individuals began this organization in order to promote non-institutionalized care for people with mental disabilities. The mission of the Arc is to support basic human rights for those with cognitive disabilities, including the right to dignity, to make their own choices, and to participate in society. -
Denmark (and Sweden) Adopt Normalization
Danish parents clamored for non-institutional care for their children with cognitive disabilities. Niels Erik Bank-Mikkelsen, Karl Grunewald, and Dr. Bengt Nirje introduced the concept of normalization-- stating that people with intellectual disabilities deserved to live as nondisabled people do, with typical experiences, relationships, and choices. Nirje later translated his ideas into English and shared them with the U.S.
[Link text] http://mn.gov/mnddc/parallels/five/5c/4.html -
President John F. Kennedy forms "President's Panel on Mental Retardation"
JFK had a sister, Rosemary, who suffered from severe cognitive disabilities following a lobotomy at age 23. This surely impacted his decision to form a panel to "combat mental retardation." A major goal of the committee was to consider possible changes in laws as they applied to people with cognitive disabilities. -
The Inaugural Special Olympics
The very first Special Olympics was held in Chicago. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of JFK and Rosemary Kennedy, the purpose of the Special Olympics is to allow people with disabilities the chance to compete in sporting events. Its motto is: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." -
PARC vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children sued Pennsylvania due to a law allowing schools to deny public education to students with intellectual disabilities.The court held that schools must provide all students with intellectual disabilities a free, appropriate, public education, with preference to regular education class over special education class and special education class in a public school over other educational programs. -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
In this case, the court held that students with disabilities had the right to a free public education. The U.S. Supreme Court also ruled that the students couldn't be denied entry to public school classes due to administrative or disciplinary measures without due process of law. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142)
President Gerald Ford signed the EAHCA (or EHA) into law. It requires states to provide a free, appropriate, public education to all children with disabilities. It was partly derived from the court rulings in both PARC and Mills. It increased states' responsibilities for teaching students with disabilities and introduced the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). EAHCA is akin to a Bill of Rights for students with disabilities and their families. -
Meet the "New and Improved" EAHCA-- IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) added new requirements for educating students with disabilities such as mandated transition planning for older students along with living and vocational supports. IDEA also added two new disability categories: Autism and Traumatic Brain Injury. -
An Even Better IDEA
President Bill Clinton signed The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997 as it was revamped to include the participation of students with disabilities in general education and in statewide assessments, making schools accountable for their progress. Other additions included provisions for assistive technology, related services, and changes to the IEP format (goals and benchmarks). -
The No Child Left Behind Act
NCLB is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It mandated that all states publish academic standards and develop their own statewide assessments, holding them accountable for ensuring that all students, including those with disabilities, make adequate yearly progress (AYP). -
The Best IDEA yet
IDEA was further expanded. In its current form, it includes these major components: zero reject, free and appropriate public education (FAPE), least restrictive environment (LRE), nondiscriminatory evaluation, parent participation and confidentiality rights, and procedural safeguards.
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