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First School for the Blind – Boston, Massachusetts
Samuel Gridley Howe founded the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, the nation's first school for visually impaired students. It became a center for Braille instruction and vocational training. Perkins inspired similar institutions across the country, promoting societal inclusion through accessible education. -
First Public Special Education Class – Providence, Rhode Island
In 1896, Providence initiated the first public school class dedicated to students with cognitive disabilities. This pioneering move encouraged differentiation in education, emphasizing specially designed teaching strategies to meet diverse learning needs. It marked the beginning of public-school efforts to support children previously excluded from standard classrooms. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The landmark Supreme Court decision that segregation in public schools violated equal protection. Though centered on race, it also became a legal cornerstone for advocating rights of students with disabilities. This ruling catalyzed broader civil rights advances, including educational access and integration measures -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed ESEA to support underprivileged students, including those with disabilities, through Title VI grants. While not exclusively a special education law, it marked the federal government's initial commitment to funding quality instruction for diverse learners