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Founded in Hartford, Connecticut, by Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc, this was the first permanent school for children with hearing impairments in the U.S. It marked the beginning of specialized education for students with disabilities. -
Samuel Gridley Howe opened the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts. This was the first U.S. school specifically for students with visual impairments, pioneering braille instruction and specialized teaching methods. -
The CEC was established by a group of educators to advocate for students with disabilities and advance research and professional standards in special education. This organization remains a leader in the field. Council for Exceptional Children -
The Supreme Court declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. While not directly about disability, it became a foundation for later arguments supporting the right of students with disabilities to equal educational opportunities -
This case guaranteed education for children with intellectual disabilities, stating that denying access was unconstitutional. It set the stage for future federal legislation like IDEA -
Section 504 was the first federal civil rights law protecting individuals with disabilities, prohibiting discrimination in programs receiving federal funding, including schools -
This landmark law guaranteed a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment (LRE). It required individualized education programs (IEPs). History of IDEA Video -
ADA extended civil rights protections to people with disabilities in all public and private spaces, ensuring accessibility in schools, workplaces, and communities. -
This law emphasized accountability and testing, requiring schools to include students with disabilities in statewide assessments and to provide accommodations. It pushed for inclusion and equal educational standards. -
An update to IDEA, this law emphasized early intervention, transition planning, and accountability. It reinforced inclusion in general education settings with appropriate supports.