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The American School for the Deaf was established in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1817, and it was a significant turning point in how society viewed individuals with disabilities. The time and place are notable because a rare union of multiple currents led to the foundation of the school. -
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) was formed on August 10, 1922, by a group of educators who were attending a summer session at Columbia University's Teachers College along with their professors. The organization originated with 12 initial members. The CEC is presently the most significant global professional association whose primary goal is to enhance the educational outcomes of children and youth having disabilities and/or exceptional gifts.
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During the late 1920s, Dolly Gamble, an advocate for the blind, collaborated with the Miami Lions and Miami Rotary clubs to promote self-sufficiency among the blind population. They formed the Florida Association of Workers for the Blind, which later came to be known as Miami Lighthouse. 100 years later, Miami Lighthouse has become the most extensive non-profit organization in Florida that fosters optimism, assurance, and self-reliance in individuals of all ages with visual impairments. -
Special Olympics is an international movement that aims to establish a new community of inclusion, where all individuals are accepted and valued, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. The first Special Olympics game was held in Soldier Field, Chicago, to promote the abilities of young people with intellectual disabilities. The objective was to create a positive and visible impact on the capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
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Public Law 94-142, often known as the EHA or the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, was enacted on November 29, 1975, by President Gerald Ford. Each child with a handicap was entitled to a free, suitable public education, or FAPE, under the EHA in every state and locality in the nation. -
Best Buddies was established on January 19, 1989, as a non-profit organization with a 501(c)(3) status. It became the first national program in the United States to offer social and recreational activities that were integrated and unified for individuals with intellectual disabilities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x3n95uu9qA -
The Americans with impairments Act (ADA), which forbids discrimination against those with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunications, was enacted into law in 1990. The ADA has played a significant role in advancing accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. -
The 2001 No Child Left Behind Act was a congressional act that renewed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and had Title I provisions that pertained to underprivileged students. It served as the primary law for general education from Kinder to 12th grade in the United States between 2002 and 2015. This legislation made schools responsible for the progress and success of students' learning. The law was controversial since it penalized schools that did not demonstrate progress. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a legislation that guarantees access to a no-cost, suitable public education to eligible children with disabilities across the country. It also guarantees that these children receive special education and accompanying services to help meet their needs. -
The US federal law replaced the term "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" after President Barack Obama signed "Rosa's Law" in 2010. The law was named after a nine-year-old girl named Rosa Marcellino, and it played a crucial role in the growing advocacy efforts for inclusive language that prioritizes people with intellectual disabilities. https://youtu.be/6VAOVXU_Dec