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The American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut, becomes the first permanent public school for the deaf, marking a significant milestone in providing specialized education for students with hearing impairments. -
Dorothea Dix, a social reformer, convinces the Massachusetts state legislature to set aside funds for the care and treatment of individuals with mental illnesses. This action laid the foundation for future developments in special education for students with intellectual and emotional disabilities. -
The landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education rules that "separate but equal" educational facilities for African American and white students are unconstitutional. While not specific to special education, this ruling laid the groundwork for desegregation efforts that would later influence special education practices. -
President John F. Kennedy signs the Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendment to the Social Security Act, providing federal funding for the construction of community mental health centers and services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. -
The passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) guarantees a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities. This legislation later evolves into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). -
The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments expands services and protections to include infants and toddlers with disabilities through the creation of Part H, the Infants and Toddlers program, within IDEA. -
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is signed into law, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications. -
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires states to develop assessments for students with disabilities, holding them to the same academic standards as their peers. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) reauthorizes IDEA, emphasizing the importance of accountability, parental involvement, and improved educational outcomes for students with disabilities. -
The COVID-19 pandemic leads to a significant shift in education, prompting educators and policymakers to explore new strategies for providing special education services remotely and addressing the unique needs of students with disabilities during unprecedented circumstances.