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Gallaudet University- Formerly The National Deaf Mute College
The only American university to this day that is designed just for deaf students. This school opened as a way for these students with this disability to be able to attain a higher education. This was a start to special education and providing students with disabilities the same opportunities as students without disabilities. -
The Council For Exceptional Children
This foundation offers support, higher education, and many resources for parents and teachers of students with disabilities in special education programs. This foundation is compromised of educators and teachers who fight to increase education for exceptional children and include them in general classrooms. -
Brown Vs. The Board Of Education
This case paved the way for the IDEA law, which granted free public education for all children with disabilities. This case also pushed the idea that "separate educational facilities are unequal." This not only led to the integration of all races but, also of students with disabilities into the same schools as children without disabilities. This case proved that segregating children in education hinders learning and therefore it led to inclusion. -
Elementary And Secondary Education Act of 1965
This act provided funding and grants for school districts that would serve low-income and disabled students and also created special education centers for children with disabilities. This act increased resources given to education and especially disadvantaged students.
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Education Of The Handicap Act 1970
This act was the first of its kind to strictly focus on educating students with disabilities. This act funded better program development for students with disabilities, better teacher training in the area of disabilities and provided financial support for students with disabilities and their families. -
Mills Vs. Board of Education
This case was brought forth by parents of children with disabilities who argued that excluding their children from general education without due process of law violated the fourteenth amendment. The ruling favored Mills and stated that all children with disabilities in the District of Columbia must be provided with a publicly/governmentally supported education. This case, along with others, pushed government to finally pass IDEA in 1975. This case paved the way to equal opportunity in schools. -
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This act was the first disability civil rights law passed and forbade the discrimination of people with disabilities in most federally ran organizations, namely schools. Section 504 of the act gives students with disabilities the right to reasonable accommodations in the classroom and school. The purpose of this act was and is to remove any roadblocks in the way of learning for children with disabilities. -
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA was formerly called "Education For All Handicapped Children Act," and it's purpose was and is to Include children with disabilities into education by providing free public education for them and by providing "Child Find" for them. Child Find is an evaluation program by which students are tested to see if they have a qualifying disability, to which the school will provide the child with special education and programs such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, etc. -
Irving Independent School District Vs. Tatro
In this case a child with spina bifida was unable to attend normal school unless her catheterization was done every couple of hours to prevent kidney damage. The case went to court stating that without this simple procedure done, their daughter would not be able to attend school. The schools fail to provide this procedure violated the EAHCA, which states that schools receiving federal funding have to provide related services so that a child with disabilities can benefit from special education. -
The Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1986
This Act allows parents to assist in creating their childs Individual Education Plan (IEP) with teachers to ensure they are satisfied with the plan. This act also supports parents, in the case they're dissatisfied with the plan, to a hearing with the state education agency. This act also provides funds to state and government agencies to improve the education of children with disabilities in schools. This act also allowed parents to be reimbursed of court fees if they won a hearing. -
No Child Left Behind Act
This act strived to equalize the learning field for students who were classified as "disadvantaged," such as students in poverty, minorities, students who received special education and non-native speakers. This act allowed students with disabilities accommodations for state wide tests. This act held schools accountable for students' learning by implementing annual testing, adequate yearly progress reports, etc., and because of this it was controversial, but it did lead to increased inclusion. -
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Replacing the "No Child Left Behind Act," ESSA created mandatory state accountability plans for low performing districts and students, such as those with disabilities, to increase their success on statewide testing and better their chance of higher education. ESSA also strives to make general ed teachers more effective in teaching all students, namely those with disabilities in the same classroom. https://www.air.org/resource/how-can-essa-help-students-disabilities
