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The first permanent school for deaf and mute individuals was built in Hartford, Connecticut. At the time "dumb" meant unable to speak. The school was later renamed to "The American School for the Deaf". -
Seven "exceptional" students were denied access to public supported education. The families were promised their children would be placed in appropriate institutions. By fall 1971 their children were still excluded from all education and the families sued. The court ruled that students with disabilities must be given a public education even if the students are unable to pay for the cost of the education. Link text -
Rehabilitation Act Section 504.
Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act was the first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the United States.This is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. Section 504 forbids organizations, schools, and employers from excluding/denying disabled individuals an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. -
Education of Handicapped Children Act:
This act, federal law, required all public schools, accepting public funding, to guarantee and provide equal access to education to all students with mental and physical disabilities. Children between the ages of 3-21 with mental and physical disabilities are covered. Later renamed IDEA. -
Americans Disabled for Accessible Public Transit:
Founded by Reverend Wade Blank in protest of inaccessible public transportation. ADAPT members would block city buses to draw attention to their cause. "It is not We the able-bodied people. It is We the People". -
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in multiple areas. ADA is a civil rights law that is divided into five titles, all sections are a different area in public life. Employment, Public Services (state & local), Public Accommodations, Telecommunications, and Miscellaneous Provisions. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures that all children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living. -
Rachel H. was a young girl being denied access to a general classroom. Her parents filed for due process under the IDEA (least restrictive environment). The court ruled in favor of Rachel and placed her in a general classroom with support. Four factors are considered when trying to place a student with a disability in the least restrictive environment. Link text -
No Child Left Behind Act:
The main goal of the NCLBA is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. The NCLBA is broken down into four basic principles: stronger accountability for results, increased flexibility and local control, expanded options for parents and an emphasis on proven teaching methods. The act has multiple pros and cons, it made state testing a sole focus. -
IDEA to The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA).
Under IDEIA, a student’s individual education plan must be re-evaluated every school year. The reauthorized act established a new requirement, "summary of academic and functional performance". IDEIA is divided into six core principles: Free Appropriate Public Education, Appropriate Evaluation, Individualized Education Plan, Least Restrictive Environment, Parent Participation, and Procedural Safeguards. -
Replaced NCLBA
The Every Student Succeeds Act is the main education law for public schools in the United States. ESSA mains goal to provide an equal opportunity for disadvantaged students, including special education students. Under ESSA some students are exempt from standardized testing with their peers if they meet certain disability criteria. These students are tested with an alternative assessment instead.