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1st school for people with disabilities
Charles M. LÉpee established the first public school for people with disabilities in France and is considered a pioneer in special education. -
1st school for deaf students
Reverend Thomas Gallaudet created the first school for the deaf, known as the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb. It is now called the American School for the Deaf. -
1st school for the blind
Samuel Grindley Howe founded the first school for the blind in the USA. -
1st school for idiotic and feebleminded
Samuel Grindley Howe also founded the Massachusetts School for Idiotic and Feebleminded children, which led to other schools of the same nature opening around various states. -
Department of Special Education
The National Association of Education created this department for further understanding and support of the growing special education needs. -
NYU training
The university established special education training courses. -
1st Special Education Administrator
Elizabeth E. Farrell was the first person to have a classroom of individuals with disabilities back in 1899 in NYC. In 1906 she became the director of the special education program. She was responsible for programming, training, hiring, etc. She also went on to create the Councel for Exceptional Children -
Right to Education
All states recognize that individuals have a right to education. -
Parent Advocacy
The first groups to advocate for students with special needs were the parents of the children with disabilities. These parent organizations can be traced back to the 1930s origin. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The US Supreme Court ruled that all children have the right to education in equal terms. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
This court hearing argued for the rights of students with disabilities to have a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). -
Mills vs. District of Columbia Board of Education
This court case reinforced the 1971 case establishing FAPE and identified the right for due process. -
Rehabilitation Act
This act ensured the civil rights of all students and provided accommodations in schools for individuals with disabilities. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This act guaranteed the right of an individual with disabilities a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment, including the implementation of an individualized education plan and the right to due process. It later became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1990 and was revised again most recently in 2004. -
No Child Left Behind
A continuation of programming, including loans, that would help schools to establish resources to meet the needs of students with special needs. It began in 2001 and was revised in 2004.
