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American School for the Deaf
The American School for the Deaf, also known as The American Asylum was the first school established for disabled children in the western hemisphere. It is the oldest permanent school for the deaf in the United States and was known as the school for the Education and Instruction of the deaf and dumb, dumb meaning not able to speak. -
Perkins Institution for the Blind
The Perkins Institution for the Blind opened in Boston, Massachusetts, and was the first of its kind for people with mental disabilities. It was like a boarding school so students had to live and get educated there at the same time. It is the oldest school for the blind in the United States. -
Columbia Institution
Columbia Institution for the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind was allowed to grant degrees by the U.S. Congress. It is the first college in the world established for people with disabilities. It is now known as Gallaudet University and is officially bilingual with American Sign Language and written English used for instruction. -
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children is the first advocacy group for children with disabilities. It is one of the largest special education advocacy groups and its main goal is to ensure that children with special needs receive FAPE, Free Appropriate Public Education. -
National Association for Retarded Citizens
The National Association for Retarded Citizens was formed by parents of people with developmental disabilities. Since then, the organization has established state chapters in 39 states, and 730 local chapters in states across the country. The Arc of the United States is based in Washington, D.C. https://thearc.org/about-us/history/ -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a court case that brought attention to black v. white's in school and special needs students v. general education students. This case encouraged the formation of many advocacy groups to inform the public of the need for special education programs. This case ruled that separate schools for black and white children were unequal and unconstitutional. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwxprgouAYU&t=26s -
Handicapped Children's Protection Act
Signed by President Ronald Regan, the Handicapped Children's Protection Act was a law that gave parents of children with disabilities more say over the development of their child's Individual Education Plan (IEP). Public schools were required to evaluate children with disabilities and create an educational plan with parent input that would emulate as closely as possible the educational experience of non-disabled students. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush. The act promises people with special needs will have the same rights as anyone else. This includes both school and work and also stated that those with special needs cannot be discriminated against in everyday society. The law also states that public school buildings must have accessible areas for the disabled. -
IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was also signed by President George W. Bush and includes six pillars: FAPE, LRE, IEP, evaluation, parent/student participation, and all procedural safeguards for participants. It also provides standards for disciplining children with disabilities. -
No Child Left Behind
The No Child Left Behind was signed by President George W. Bush as well and the law held standards of proficiency in math, reading, and science for all children including those with disabilities. The Act required states to develop assessments in basic skills. To receive federal school funding, states had to give these assessments to all students at select grade levels.