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Word Blindess
Adolf Kussmaul, a german neurologist, coined term “word blindness.” He characterizes it by “a complete text blindness ... although the power of sight, the intellect, and the powers of speech are intact.” -
Dyslexia is first used
Rudolf Berlin who is a german physician used the term “dyslexia” to explain reading challenges. -
First report of child reading disability
The first report of childhood reading difficulties in the U.S. was published by W.E. Bruner -
Dyslexia becomes common
The word dyslexia became more commonly used -
Learning Disability first used
Samuel A. Kirk, a psychologist, is the first to use the word “learning disability” at an education conference in Chicago. -
Association for Children with Learning Disabilities
The ACLD, now known as the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA), has chapters in the 50 states -
Support Laws
The U.S. congress passes the first laws that state support services must be given to children with learning disabilities -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
U.S. congress passed section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities who are in programs that get federal funding, including public schools -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Congress passed the EAHCA which requires schools to give "free, appropriate public education" for every student -
First State Dyslexia Law
Texas passed the first state law for dyslexia, which makes schools test students for dyslexia and provide services for those who show signs of disability. Many other states do the same. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA prevents discrimination against people with disabilities in workplaces and public spaces. -
Brain Research
Regions of the brain are found to work differently in people of have dyslexia. This is discovered by the National Institute of Mental Health. LD Online creates the first internet resource for teachers and parents. -
Teachers become part of special education
Teachers learn to become part of special education and students have more access to classes and statewide testing -
No Child Left Behind Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act become the No Child Left Behind Act. It hold schools and states more accountable for students. -
MRI Technology
MRIs done by researchers at Yale University show that the brains of people who have dyslexia work differently than those who do when reading. -
Disabilities are becoming more socially acceptable
Actor Henry Winkler invents character Hank Zipzer, who is mischievous hero with dyslexia. Winkler, who also has dyslexia, wanted to give kids a hero that they could relate to. -
Updates to IDEA
IDEA is improved, giving parents more rights and better explains a schools’ responsibilities. RTI, which is response to intervention, is used to assist struggling students -
Dyslexia Gene
The team at Yale University discovers a gene related to Dyslexia. -
"Dear Colleague" letter
At the U.S. Department of Education, the Office for Civil Rights shares a “Dear Colleague” letter. It explains that denying kids with disabilities access to accelerated academic programs is considered a civil rights violation. Also researchers at University College London use brain imaging to find the part of the brain that works differently in people with dyscalculia. -
Changes in terms and regulations
DSM-5 expands its definition of the phrase “specific learning disorder.”
The U.S. Department of Labor passes federal regulations forcing contractors and subcontractors to try and have 7 percent of their workforce include people with disabilities. -
No Child Left Behind is repealed
No Child Left Behind is replaced with the Every Student Succeeds Act. It gives each state the authority to set its own goals for a students achievement within reasonable limits. -
U.S. Supreme Court
The case Endrew F causes the U.S supreme court to decide that schools have to provide special education services to hip kids make progress in school.