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First American School for the Blind
After observing educational practices for the blind in France, Dr. John Fisher was inspired and determined to create a school that would give deaf and blind children the same opportunities as any other child. Perkins school for the blind allowed for a place that blind and deaf students could attend and be educated in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Perkins student, Laura Bridgman was the first deafblind student enrolled at the school, who successfully learned how to read and write. -
National Employ the Handicap Week
In 1945, National Employ the Handicap Week was instituted by President Harry Truman and signed into public law. It supported and created awareness for employment possibilities for the physically handicapped. Later on, in 1962, it expanded to include all disabilities, and then in 1988, it expanded to last a whole month. -
Perkins Brailler First Introduced
David Abraham began designing the new Perkins Braille machine in 1941. After years of perfecting and gathering different materials in order to create it in the best way possible, Abraham had finished the machine, and Perkins released the Brailler in 1951. The Perkins Brailler was an instant success and in the last 60 years has benefited over 170 countries and continues to improve and benefit children.
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Brown vs. Board of Education
In 1954, the Brown vs. Board of Education highlighted the significant impact segregation has on children, specifically between the white and colored children. Following the court’s decision in favor of Brown, others started rallying together for the segregation of children with disabilities. The court decided that segregation has a strong emotional impact on the child, which lead parents to argue that the exclusion of disabled children was discrimination because of their disability. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
In 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The ESEA addressed the need for education opportunities for underprivileged children. It helped to ensure adequate resources for disadvantaged children. -
The Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ensured civil rights to all disabled people. The Act required schools to make appropriate accommodations within their facility for disabilities. In addition, it prohibited the discrimination of people due to their disabilities in federally funded programs. -
Persons with Severe Handicaps Assoc.
The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH) was founded in 1975. TASH is an international advocacy group in support of people with disabilities. They advocate for human rights and fight for the inclusion of the disabled, in support of their needs. TASH provides inclusive communities, advocacy, research, information, and resources to those experiencing or affected by disabilities.
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Education for All Handicapped Children Act
In 1975, the EHA was turned into law, which gives the right to all children with qualifying disabilities to receive education from federally funded institutions. Those who are considered physically or mentally disabled are ensured an education, one free meal a day, and a lesson plan created specifically for them that is as inclusive as possible. This act enabled children to receive inclusive education with the rest of their peers. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEA offers individualized education for children with qualifying disabilities. Children who qualify receive specialized services that fit their needs. The IDEA states that children must be placed in the least restrictive environment as possible, and an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) must be established for every child receiving special education services. IEP’s allow educators to specialize instruction to better accommodate to the child’s abilities and inabilities due to their disability. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The NCLB provided for all children to receive fair and equal educational opportunity. It ensured that all children with disabilities would be able to obtain high levels of quality education. Teachers are required to be highly qualified in order for students to meet proficiency standards. Schools that do not meet proficiency standards are required to take actions to provide additional resources to their students, such as free tutoring.
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