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First named the Connecticut Asylum for the Education of Deaf and Dumb Persons, The American School for the Deaf was the first school opened for the primary purpose of educating the deaf. Neighbors Dr. Mason Fitch Cogswell (whose daughter was deaf) and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet advocated for chartership through the Connecticut General Assembly, which was granted in 1816. The school is located in Hartford, Connecticut. -
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) was developed with the goal of improving the lives of children and youth with disabilities. The largest international professional organization, the CEC’s vision is “high-quality education that is inclusive and equitable for individuals with disabilities.” The Council was founded by Elizabeth Farrell with a group of 12 educators during a summer session at Columbia University. https://exceptionalchildren.org/ -
Originally named the National Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Retarded Children, The Arc began in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a group of parents who were determined to ensure their children with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) were able to receive appropriate services to enable them to lead fulfilling lives absent of institutionalization. They were the first organization to devote funds to research into IDDs. https://youtu.be/fBHq0X_J4ak -
The United States Supreme Court issued the landmark decision determining that in education, separate but equal is unconstitutional, inherently unequal, and denies equal protection under the law, thereby desegregating the public school system. As a result, parents of students with disabilities sued their school districts for segregating and excluding their children with disabilities. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is the oldest federal disability civil rights law in the United States of America. The Section strictly prohibits discrimination of disabled persons in any federally funded public or private programs or activities including federal government programs. The law is far-reaching and includes a multitude of industries, including education. The Section is considered the precursor to the Americans with Disabilities Act. -
Signed into law by President Gerald Ford, EHA guaranteed free, appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities nationwide. Its purposes were to: ensure FAPE with appropriate special education and related services, ensure the rights of students with disabilities and their parents are protected, provide assistance to States and localities in educating their students with disabilities, and ensure the effectiveness of educating students with disabilities through assessment. -
Sponsored by Senator Tom Harkin, the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (Tech Act), was the first piece of legislation that recognized the power of utilizing technology to assist disabled persons in improving their quality of life in several areas including school, work, recreation, and community. The federal government provided grants with the goal of establishing a network of State programs specifically aimed at access to assistive technology. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It added traumatic brain injury and autism as new exceptionalities, as well as ensured that transition plans were added to the Individual Education Program in aiding the smooth transition to post-secondary education or employment. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-104/pdf/STATUTE-104-Pg1103.pdf -
Sponsored by Senator James Jeffords of Vermont, the Assistive Technology Act provides federally funded monies to States that are meant to provide easier access to assistive technology and services to people with disabilities. This Act further expanded upon the 1994 Act by providing greater access to assistive technology. -
Autism Speaks was founded by Bob and Suzanne Wright, who are the grandparents of a child with autism, with a goal of advocacy for children with autism and their families. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has merged with Autism Coalition for Research and Education (ACRE), the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR), and Cure Autism Now (CAN) to advocate for enhanced services, inclusion, and support and resources for persons with autism. https://youtu.be/ckuqPTGbk38