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The first early disability-related legislation
In 1798, the Fifth Congress passed the first federal law concerned with the care of persons with disabilities (Braddock, 1987). This law authorized a Marine Hospital Service to provide medical services to sick and disabled seamen. -
Rhode Island started special education classes
Rhode Island opened the first public special education class in the U.S. in 1896. Public school started to become aware of differences among students by 1923 34000 students were in special education classes. -
Help for special students
Many recognized the need to deal with special education students. A popular textbook for educators by Stanley P. Davies advocates strict control and confinement of persons with disabilities to protect society. -
Normalizing
In Denmark, the concept of "normalization" originated in the late 1950s. It meant quite simply allowing persons who lived in institutions to enjoy life outside of the institutions. They wanted many to not be hidden away but to be "mainstreamed" in society. -
Competing
In 1968, Chicago held the first Special Olympic. Special Olympics is an international organization created to help people with intellectual disabilities develop self-confidence, social skills and a sense of personal accomplishment. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
One of the most important pieces of legislation during the 1970s was the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 of this act made it illegal for any federal agency, public university, defense or other federal contractor, or any other institution that received federal funding to discriminate against anyone solely on the basis of disability. -
Acts that shape Sped
In 1975, the Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA), Public Law (P.L.) 94-142 was passed. It has since been reauthorized in 1997 & 2004, and together with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), renamed the "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) Act of 2001 have dramatically raised expectations and accountability surrounding the education of children with disabilities. -
Assistive Technology
The Assistive Technology Act of 1988 and 2004 allow funding to be redirected to individuals by providing direct aid to individuals with disabilities. This allows students access to special educational technology through government funding. -
Continuing education
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act added the component of a transitional component to the IEP. This allows students to prepare for their future while they are in school. -
IDEA today
Today the 6 principles of IDEA are practiced every day in the classroom. These principles are students with disabilities are entitled to Zero Reject, Free Appropriate Public Education, Protection in Evaluation, Least Restrictive Environment, Procedural Safeguards.
For more information Check out
https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/know-your-childs-rights/your-childs-rights-6-principles-of-idea/
For a video timeline
https://youtu.be/hBN1Dgwsx8Y
