-
Known as the first special education school, Thomas Gallaudet opens the American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb in Hartford, CT. The opening of this school is seen as recognizing the educational needs of children with disabilities. It paves the pathway for the creation of special programs for education for those learners with diverse needs. (Organization / school opening) -
Samuel Gridley Howe opens the first school for the blind in Massachusetts, later known as Perkin's. This marked a revolutionary step in providing disability-specific learning for those who were visually impaired. This also meants that those who were not able to get an education before were now given that opportunity. (Organization / school opening) -
CEC was founded by Elizabeth Farrell. This organization is known for advocating for students with disabilities. It also plays an important role in lawmaking regarding special education and students' needs. -
Also known as the National Association for Retarded Citizens, this organization was formed to protect the rights of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They fight for equal rights and inclusion of these people into mainstream society. They provide advocacy and resources to help the disabled as well as provide community awareness. (Organization / Mainstreaming efforts) -
This was a landmark Supreme Court Case. Although mainly focused on desegregation in schools, this decision also set a precedent for equality in education. It made it easier to fight for equal rights in the classroom for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Court Case) -
Parents and educators joined together in a conference held in Chicago to discuss services needed for their disabled children. The term 'lesrning disabilities' was coined at this conference. In 1964, the association became incorporated and is today known as Learning Disabilities Asssociation of America (LDA). (Organization / Mainsteaming)
More information: LDA Website -
This law was signed into law by President Johnson. It provided federal funding for public schools, including programs for students with disabilities. This laid the groundwork for more inclusive services and programs in schools. (Legislation supporting Inclusion) -
Pennsylvia Association of Retarded Citizens sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania over a law that discriminated against intellectually disabled children. This led to the establishment of the right to a free, public education to children with intellectural disabilities. It made sure that those with disabilities were able to get a fair education. (Court case supporting inclusion) -
Another lawsuit that occurred as a result of the Board of Education refusing to educate students with intellectual disabilities. The result of the lawsuit led to the board being forced to afford every student, regardless of disability, the right to to a free, publicly funded education. This also paved the way to other legislation supporting disabled students. (Court case / inclusion) -
This law prohibited discrimination against disabled people in federally funded programs such as public education. It required accomodations for disabled people and led to integrating disabled students into general education programs. Section 504 plans were used as individualized accomodations for a disabled student and are still used in current day. (Legislation / mainstreaming) -
This act required public schools to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment (LRE). It led to the creation of IEPs specific to each student with disabilities. In 1990, this act was later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). (Legislation/mainstreaming) More info: IDEA History Video