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The Connecticut Society for Deaf and Dumb Persons, now known as the American School for the Deaf, opened in 1817 in Connecticut. It eventually became the first state funded school for the deaf.
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The AAIDD is the oldest organization centered on advocacy, policy, and leadership for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization "promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities."
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In the 1930s, parents of children with disabilities started the first movement of advocates. Over the following decades, their voices were heard and laws began to change, requiring rights to education for children with disabilities.
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The Brown v. Board of Education case was a milestone in special education. While it focused on race, it found that all people, regardless of race, gender or disability have the right to public education. This case led to special education programs opening up in the United States in the 1960s.
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In 1965, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, ESEA, provided federal money for public schools. Funding for special Education programs began in the United States Is the 1960s, special education programs in schools started soon after.
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The PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania case led to the creation of FAPE, the right to a Free Appropriate Public Education of all students.
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The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination based on disability by any organization funded by or employed by federal entities. Protections for students with disabilities fall under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Since schools were receiving funding through ESEA, this prohibited discrimination of students with disabilties.
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In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (also known as PL 94-142) was enacted requiring that all children be provided with an equal access to education, regardless of disability. It also provided the foundation of the current requirements of evaluations, educational plans, and learning experiences as close to non-disabled peers.
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The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was the first civil rights law prohibiting discrimination of people with disabilities. The law applies to state and local government, public accessibility, public transportation, public facilities, housing, education and telecommunications.
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In 1997, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), required states to have policies in effect to ensure a free appropriate public education for all students with disabilities. Amendments were added to include six provisions for families and students with disabilities. https://www.wrightslaw.com/statute.htm
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The 2001, No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), the predecessor of ESSA, provided federal protections for disadvantaged students to close the achievement gap. NCLB caused an educational reform in the United States by requiring high learning standards, measurable goals, and accountability for the learning outcomes of all students.
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The 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA 2004, was the reauthorization of IDEA 1997. It is the law governing special education in the United States. It covers the rights and protections for children with disabilities and their families, eligibility, and services.
More information available at: https://www.wrightslaw.com/idea/index.htm -
The ADA Amendments of 2008 clarified the definitions of disabilities and placed grater emphasis on the provisions, processes, and accommodations required to ensure nondiscrimination of students with disabilities under Section 504.
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In 2015, the U.S. Department of Education enacted EESA, or Every Student Succeeds Act, a revision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. This act was created to ensure protections for disadvantaged students, accountability for student learning and achievement through high academic standards, and requires the use of evidence based practices by school leaders. The provisions of ESSA provides equal opportunities for students with disabilities. https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=rn
