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Perkins Institution in Boston is founded
Perkin’s School for the Blind was the first school of its’ kind in the United States. The founder, Samuel Gridley Howe, created his own way of making and publishing books for his students to use. A famous student of his, Hellen Keller, studied here and learned how to read braille which helped her in obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
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The Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind is established
The Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind is the first college created for students with disabilities. It came to be when Amos Kendall saw that deaf and blind children were not being cared for properly; he legally declared those children his and donated land to provide housing for them. Today, the University is known as Gallaudet University. The institution could award degrees seven years after they opened. -
National Association for Retard Children (NARC) organization is founded
The NARC was an organization comprised of mostly parents and friends of retarded children in Minneapolis. It was the first organization to put money towards furthering research on intellectual disabilities. The NARC helped make connections to disabilities such as lead poisoning and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
This Supreme Court Case ruled that the separation of schools for black and white students was unconstitutional. Brown stated that segregation had a negative effect on the colored children. This ruling would later be used to defend the mainstreaming of students with disabilities in general education classrooms. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act ensured that all schools receiving federal funding provided special education services to students with disabilities. This act required schools to evaluate children and provide them with an educational plan. The main goal of the act was to require free and appropriate education for students with disabilities. -
Honig v. Doe
This Supreme Court Case came about when a California school board suspended a student for behavior that was affiliated with his disability. It was said to violate EAHCA for denying the child’s right to free and appropriate education. The court also concluded that the state must provide services to a student with a disability if the school board does not. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a law that forbids discrimination of people with disabilities, in schools, jobs, transportation, and all public and private places. The law is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as others. The ADA is further divided into five titles that protect their rights in different areas. The areas are Employment, State and Local Government, Public Accommodations, Telecommunications, and Miscellaneous Provisions. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
This law replaced the EAHCA. It expanded special education services and requires expelled students with disabilities to continue to receive the services. This act requires access to a general education curriculum and teacher. It requires an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and a behavior plan if vindicated. -
Cedar Rapids v. Garret F.
This case ruled that students must receive the services they need to attend school. Garret F. required a wheelchair and ventilator, but the school district refused to pay for his services. The IDEA assures that students with disabilities have the right to free appropriate education and related services to meet their unique needs, regardless of their cost. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
The No Child Left Behind Law made schools more accountable for how students performed. It helped to identify poor teachers and administration and relied heavily on test scores. It also implemented early reading interventions and offered school choice options.
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