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American School for the Deaf
American school for the deaf was founded in Hartford Connecticut by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc. It was the very first school for children with disabilities in the western hemisphere. Additionally, it is the oldest school for the deaf in the United States. [https://www.asd-1817.org/] -
Perkins Institution for the Blind
Originally named New England Asylum for the Blind, Perkins Institution for the Blind was founded in Boston Massachusetts. Anne Sullivan attended Perkins School for the Blind. She was American teacher known for instructing Hellen Keller, the first blind and deaf woman to graduate from college in the United States. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldo8RZhpCXk] -
College Degrees for Special Education Students
In 1864, The Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, began to allow students with exceptionalities to obtain college degrees. This made history in America, as those with special needs were finally able to acquire a degree and had not been given much of an opportunity to before. -
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exception Children was founded by a group of students who attended Teachers College at Columbia University in New York and their professor Elizabeth Farrell. It is one of the largest special education advocacy groups. Their goal is to improve the educational success of students with exceptionalities. -
The Signing of the Social Security Act
The Social Security Act was signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide retired workers with a continued income. However, on August 1, 1956 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed on the establishment of the Social Security Disability Insurance program. This provided certain disabled workers between the ages of 50 and 65 with assistance, later expanding its coverage. -
Medicaid Act of 1965
in 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a bill that led to Medicaid. Medicaid was used to provide health coverage for low income families and individuals with disabilities. It is government funded and still used in present time. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first federal disability civil rights law in the United States. Its purpose is to prohibit discrimination against individuals with exceptionalities. Any program receiving federal financial assistance must abide by this law. -
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
In 1975, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), guaranteed the access of free public education in the least restrictive environment to all students with disabilities. The purpose of LRE is to provide education for special education students alongside children without disabilities in the general education classroom. This is also called “Mainstreaming” -
The Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law by Justin Dart and President George W. Bush. It is considered one of the most important civil rights laws and it prohibits discrimination against individuals with exceptionalities in public life such as in schools, and places open to the public. -
IDEA 2004
The purpose of IDEA 2004 (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Law) is to make a free appropriate public education available to children with exceptionalities. Infants from birth to 2 years of age receive assistance under IDEA part C. Meanwhile, Children ages 3 to 21 receive services related to their disabilities under IDEA Part B.
