History of Special Education

  • US First Public Special Education Class

    US First Public Special Education Class
    Rhode Island opened the first public special education class in the United States.
  • Special Education Classes Grew

    By 1923 almost 34,000 students were enrolled in special education classes.
  • FDR becomes 32nd president of United States

    FDR becomes 32nd president of United States
    The people of the United States elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt as president. FDR had polio and used a wheelchair. The American public elected a president with a disability.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act guarantees certain rights to people with disabilities. People with disabilities could no longer be excluded from any program receiving federal funding. Airports were among the first facilities to become fully accessible.
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act
    All public schools receiving federal funds must now provide equal access for all children with physical and mental disabilities.
  • Virginians with Disabilities Act

    Virginians with Disabilities Act
    The Virginians with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination of people with disabilities. It protects the rights of people with disabilities from discrimination in employment, housing, voting, and education.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
    IDEA is a federal law that states how children ages birth through age 18 or 21 with disabilities receive early intervention, special education and related services. It requires schools to create an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for all students with disabilities.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    Americans with Disabilities Act
    Americans with Disbilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination because of a disability.
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    NCLB Act requires states to give standards based tests to students in certain grades to measure mastery of basic skills.