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The First American School for the Deaf was founded in 1817 by Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc in Hartford, Connecticut. This school was the first permanent school for deaf students in the United States and made formal education accessible to children with hearing impairments. It also helped establish American Sign Language as an important method of communication in education.
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The Perkins School for the Blind was founded in 1829 in Massachusetts as the first school for students with visual impairments in the United States. The school demonstrated that individuals who are blind can successfully learn academic, vocational, and life skills. Perkins later became well known for educating Helen Keller, which brought national attention to special education
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Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Although this case focused on race, it had a major influence on special education by establishing that separate educational systems are inherently unequal. The ruling helped lay the legal foundation for later laws that promoted equal access to education for students with disabilities.
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The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was passed in 1965 to provide federal funding to improve education for disadvantaged students. This law increased support for students with disabilities by emphasizing equal educational opportunity. ESEA helped bring attention to the responsibility of public schools to meet the needs of all learners.
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Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first federal civil rights law protecting individuals with disabilities from discrimination. In schools, it requires that students with disabilities receive accommodations so they can access the general education curriculum. This law strongly supports inclusion by allowing students with disabilities to remain in regular classrooms with appropriate supports.
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 guaranteed students with disabilities the right to a free and appropriate public education. This law introduced the concept of the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), which encourages educating students with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers whenever possible. EAHCA was a major step toward inclusion in general education classrooms.
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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in public spaces, employment, and education. The ADA ensures accessibility in buildings, transportation, and communication. Although not specific to education, the law strongly supports inclusion and equal access for individuals with disabilities.
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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed in 1990 and expanded the protections of earlier special education laws. IDEA emphasizes individualized education programs (IEPs) and strong parent involvement in educational planning. This law continues to serve as the foundation of special education services in the United States.
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The No Child Left Behind Act increased accountability in public schools by requiring standardized testing for all students, including those with disabilities. This law emphasized high academic expectations and data-driven instruction. NCLB reinforced the idea that students with disabilities should be included in school accountability systems.
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The Every Student Succeeds Act replaced No Child Left Behind and returned more decision-making power to individual states. ESSA maintains protections for students with disabilities while encouraging inclusive and evidence-based educational practices. This law supports equity by recognizing the diverse needs of all learners.