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First Deaf School Opens In America (1817):
On April 15, 1817, Louis Laurent Marie Clerc (who was deaf) and Reverend Thomas Gallaudet started the Connecticut Asylum at Hartford for the Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons, which was later changed to the American School for the Deaf. A year after opening its doors, the school was filled with deaf students. One special thing about this school is that it allowed anyone to be a student, it did not matter if they were five or fifty years old.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuZSxqHKVvM -
The Invention of Braille (1824)
After losing his sight, Louis Braille invented a way for visually impaired individuals to read and write. This method consists of raised dots, which correlate with a letter in the alphabet. Braille shared his new and more efficient form of writing with his peers. However, in 1840, the new school director banned students from using braille because he was fearful that sighted teachers would no longer be needed if visually impaired students could read.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9BOQ6IpTSE -
Council for Exceptional Children (1922)
On August 10, 1922, the Council for Exceptional Children was formed. This organization was founded by Elizabeth E. Farrell and started with only twelve members, all of which were teachers. Today, this association focuses on helping students with exceptionalities succeed, and they do this through standards, policies, and advocacy. The CEC also provides teachers with tools to better help ESE students.
https://exceptionalchildren.org/ -
League of the Physically Handicapped (1935)
During the Great Depression, a group of young adults from New York banded together and formed the League of the Physically Handicapped. This organization focused on finding employment for individuals with disabilities. The League somehow managed to get their hands on evidence that proved the government created a secret policy that prohibited the hiring of people with disabilities. The group was later disbanded in 1939 after achieving its goal. -
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
This court case focused on school segregation and how it was unconstitutional. While this case was about racial segregation, it is responsible for establishing an understanding that everyone deserves a good education. For this reason, Brown v. Board of Education is significant to the cause of Special Education because it marked the first time the government supported students who experienced inequality.
https://www.acslaw.org/expertforum/the-meaning-of-brown-for-children-with-disabilities/ -
Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1971)
Before this court case, children with disabilities did not have the right to have public education. This was the first suit that focused on equal education for all children. The court ruled that the state must provide free special education for children with intellectual disabilities.
https://www.pubintlaw.org/cases-and-projects/pennsylvania-association-for-retarded-citizens-parc-v-commonwealth-of-pennsylvania/ -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975)
In 1975, the federal government passes the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) law. This federal law requires that public schools provide educational services for students with disabilities between the ages of three and twenty-one. This law was later changed to the Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, or more commonly known as, IDEA. -
Individualized Education Program (1975)
The Individualized Education Program, or IEP, was designed to meet every child’s educational needs. This plan is used to ensure every student with a disability is given an equal opportunity to succeed in school. Depending on the student’s disability, they will have a different IEP plan, which essentially means they will have different accommodations.
https://numberdyslexia.com/iep-history-individualized-education-program-timeline/ -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1990)
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a law that states children with disabilities will receive a free and appropriate public education. IDEA mandates that students with disabilities be mainstreamed into the general classroom or into a Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) so they can be surrounded by their peers but still receive help from the teacher. This law also provides students with special education and intervention services if needed.
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/ -
Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed by President George H.W. Bush. ADA is an act that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities. This act also provides people with disabilities the opportunity to experiences “mainstream” life in America, such as getting a job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuZadMDve-E -
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
On January 8, 2002, President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA). This act focuses on closing the student achievement gap by providing all students with an equal and fair education. The NCLBA also states that accommodations and modifications must be provided to students with special needs, which is a concept addressed in IDEA. -
Response to Intervention (2004)
Response to Intervention, or RTI, is a process used by educators to help students who are struggling with a specific skill. While RTI is known to be used with students with disabilities, it is also used for students without disabilities. RTI is an evidence and strategy-based three-tiered system that provides students an appropriate education based on their learning level and needs.
http://www.rtinetwork.org/learn/what/whatisrti