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The first ever school for the Deaf is founded by Thomas Hopkins Galludet in Hartford, Connecticut
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American Association on Mental Retardation, (later changed to American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities), is formed. This group fought for rights for those with disabilities, including in education.
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The American Association of Instructors for the blind fought to receive federal funding for the education of blind individuals.
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Funding training for educators of students with disabilities.
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An assembly of parents, educators, and clinicians formed a movement for providing services for handicapped children.
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Fought the "war on poverty" by funding public education for all children. Amendments to this act provided grants for special education as well, making it more accessible.
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The Bureau of Education of the Handicapped formed, fighting for educational rights and financial support for students with disabilities,
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PARC, a special education non-profit sued the state of Pennsylvania after many of their children aged 6-21 were denied public education due to their disabilities. It was ruled that the state must provide free public education regardless of disabilities. This was a landmark case that later spread to other states, starting the guarantee of education to special needs individuals.
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Prohibited discrimination of students with disabilities. Section 504 organizes accommodations to those in need.
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Under President Ford, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was passed, requiring all states to provide equal education to those with disabilities. IEPs were created, FAPE introduced, and least restrictive environment starts gaining support
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Autism and traumatic brain injury added as new disability categories, and a transition plan was added to each IEP.
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This act extended the Rehabilitation Act by requiring accessibility and accommodations both in and out of school. For example, wheelchair ramps, interpreters provided, equal opportunity, transportation, etc.
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The Individuals with Disabilities Education act included everything previously in EAHCA, but also provided services from birth to age 5.
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Required schools to submit yearly progress reviews, students must meet grade standards, and all students were to receive equal education and opportunities.
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Replaces No Child Left Behind act and ensures that students with disabilities are taking the same standardized tests as their peers unless a severe cognitive disability prohibits it.