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First Am. School for the Blind
The first American school for the blind was founded in the year 1829. This new beginning brought more awareness to individuals who require more help and training to learn, and that they can be expected to learn just like others. This coming about a decade after the first American school for the deaf. These major sensory impairments led the way for other individuals to be educated. -
Fist Special Ed Classroom
In the year 1896 the first "special education" classroom was opened in the country. Found in the small state of Rhode Island, this was a giant leap forward as students who did not excel in their work were often written off as "feebleminded" and not worth a lot to society during the beginnings of this country. -
The ARC
Founded in 1950 by parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the ARC looks to help support students, families, and schools. They work to maintain rights for students both in school and out of school as well. This organization also looks to connect the public to individuals with disabilities and spread awareness. -
First Special Ed Research School
The first educational institution for research for exceptional children opened in 1951. Based out of the University of Illinois, it sought to find ways that children known as "slow learners" could acquire information at a faster pace. Today, these students are diagnosed with learning disabilities, and are given supports to learn at the same rate as their typical peers. -
Brown Vs. Board
The Supreme Court case of Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka is what paved the way of inclusion for students from various racial backgrounds. Without this decision to desegregate schools based on race, the broader desegregation based on academic ability could not have happened. To learn more please visit: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka -
Public Law 90-576
The Handicapped Children's Early Education Assistance act looked to provide early access to services and identification of children with disabilities. The program that came out of this public law is no longer in effect, however, it was the first public law document that presented the idea of people first language. -
Rehabilitation Act - 504
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first law that provided equal access to individuals that have disabilities. Employment, transportation, and even the architecture of buildings was affected by this act. Specifically, section 504 of the act gave equal access to individuals with disabilities to receive help in their public education, because these schools get federal funding. Learn more by watching the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnVInDoXitU -
Public Law 94-142
The Education of All Handicapped Children Act, also known as public law 94-142, was signed into action in 1975. This amendment to the former Education of the Handicapped Act from 1966 provided supports and services to students with both physical and mental disabilities in school. Any public school receiving federal funds had to make the playing field even for those attending. -
IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is what ended up replacing EAHCA. First beginning in 1990, then being revised and reauthorized in both 1997 and 2004, IDEA is what provides educational and related services, procedural safeguards, and appropriate placement for individuals regardless of their ability level. Here is the link to IDEA to learn more: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/ -
Assistive Tech. Act
The Assistive Technology Act, which is also known as the Tech Act for short, was first enacted in 1994, with revisions in both 1998 and 2004. This provided a definition for assistive technology and funding for services/training for individuals who require AT to function in academic and any other functional setting including the home and work. -
No Child Left Behind
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, also known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), changed education in many ways. It instated testing for students to monitor academic growth and make sure that gains are being made and maintained, which directly affected special education students. However, it also holds schools accountable for employing highly competent teachers and providing opportunities for low-income students to succeed as well.