History of Special Education By jocflood31 Jan 14, 1773 First hospital for people with mental disabilities- Virginia May 14, 1800 Perkins Institute for the Blind- Mass. Jul 1, 1817 Thomas Gallaudet- American Asylum for the Deaf May 14, 1864 Gallaudet College, Washington, D.C. May 14, 1896 Rhode Island first special class in U.S. May 14, 1920 Public Institutions Housed Only 4% of People With Developmental Disabilities May 14, 1926 Approx. 34,000 students with disabilities enrolled in special ed. classes May 14, 1940 Horrific conditions in most public institutions May 14, 1975 Education of all Handicapped Children Act PL 94-142 May 14, 1990 Individuals With Disabilities Act IDEA May 14, 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act (IDEA) May 14, 2001 Reauthorization of Elementar and Secondary Act NCLB