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American School for the Deaf
Founded in West Hartford, Connecticut -
Perkins Institution for the Blind
Founded in Watertown, Massachusetts -
Columbia Institution
First college in the world established in DC for people with disabilities -
Beattie v. Board of Education
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that school officials could exclude students with disabilities -
Counsel for Exceptional Children
The first advocacy group for children with disabilities -
The Bradley Hospital
The first psychiatric hospital for children in the United States established in Rhode Island -
Cuyahoga County Council for the Retarded Child
A parental advocacy group that protested their children's exclusion from public schools -
Classification of Autism
Introduced by Dr. Leo Lanner from John Hopkins University -
Brown v. Board of Education
Helped bring attention to the needs of special education groups -
First Center for Independent Living Opens
Established at UC Berkeley by Ed Roberts -
Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects students with disabilities that inhibit their learning experience -
Personal Detail: My Parents Married
Spencerport, NY -
Handicapped Children's Protection Act
Gave parents of children with disabilities more say in the development of IEPs -
Personal Detail: I Was Born
Santa Rosa, CA -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This law ensures that people with special needs have the same rights as everybody else, and cannot be discriminated against in schools, the workplace, and everyday society -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEA signed into law, includes FAPE, LRE, IEP, and other protections -
Curiosity/Meeting John
When I was in first grade, a neighbor of mine named John entered the grade below me. I was very curious about his thoughts and daily life, because he had trouble speaking, and he was in a wheel chair. -
Visiting John's House
John lived by other friends of mine, and as small children, we would go visit with him. I remember feeling like his parents were very kind and welcoming, and they loved and cared for their child the same way my parents loved and cared for me. I began to relate more to John as simply another young playmate. -
Too Young
When I had only known John for a couple years, my parents explained to me that John had passed away. I remember an overwhelming sense that life wasn't fair. I was so young myself, and didn't ask many questions about John's specific disabilities and how they affected his health. I just knew that a young boy with loving parents could no longer play with his friends and be with his parents. -
Personal Detail: I Graduated 8th Grade
Fort Ross Elementary School in Cazadero, CA -
IDEA Reauthorized
When the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was reauthorized, it included changes to the IEP, due process, and discipline -
Personal Detail: I Graduated High School
El Molino High School in Forestville, CA -
Personal Detail: I Graduated College
BFA in Printmaking from California College of the Arts in Oakland, CA -
Personal Detail: I Graduated Graduate School
MFA in Studio Art from San Francisco State University in SF, CA