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People with disabilities were widely institutionalized against their will and were often mistreated in these facilities.
Further Reading: https://sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2023/10/25/a-history-of-institutions-for-people-with-disabilities-neglect-abuse-and-death/ -
Jean Marc Gaspard Itard took on the task of educating a boy found living in the wild, later named Victor. Itard dedicated much time to Victor's education, believing that he was capable of learning. He implemented interventions with the goal of teaching Victor to speak and take care of himself. Although Victor never reached the level of independence Itard desired, he made progress from where he began. -
Seguin began educating children with intellectual disabilities at the request of Itard as his health declined. He was incredibly successful and eventually opened the first school for students with intellectual disabilities. -
Samuel Gridley Howe established the first American school for students with intellectual disabilities in Boston.
Meet the Hero: https://www.lowellmilkencenter.org/programs/projects/view/from-asylums-to-institutions-samuel-gridley-howes-unsung-perpetuation-of-anti-ableism/hero -
Elizabeth Farrell is referred to as "the Mother of Special Education" due to her faithful work as an educator in the New York City public school system. She implemented differentiation into her teaching. She also founded the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Through her impact, things shifted toward education rather than institutionalization.
Further Reading: https://nyccivilrightshistory.org/gallery/elizabeth-farrell/ -
Parents advocated for fair treatment and education for their children whether they had a disablity or not. This resulted in the formation of various organizations focused on disability rights. -
During this time period, people began to see how inhumane these institutions were. A shift from large-scale institutions to community resources occurred during this time.
Deinstitutionalization Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3sJjPmu3RY -
This court case determined that children with intellectual disabilities have the right to public education. -
This law gives all people with disabilities the right to free and appropriate public education. This means that each student is required to have access to an education that meets their needs and is at no cost to the family. -
This renames EAHCA to IDEA and emphasizes the importance of IEPs and inclusion of students with disabilities. -
This law protects all Americans with disabilities from discrimination in educational, public, and workplace settings. -
This law requires that there be accountability in place for the education of students with disabilities and that they be accommodated and included in assessments. -
This law gives students access to the general education curriculum and encourages inclusion of students with mild and severe disabilities.