Special Education Timeline

By sadaught

  • American School for the Deaf

    The American School for the Deaf was founded in Hartford, Connecticut. This was the first school for disabled children in the United States.

  • Columbia Institution

    Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind was allowed to grant college degrees by the U.S. Congress. It was the first college in the world established for people with disabilities.

  • Council for Exceptional Children

    The Council for Exceptional Children was the first advocacy group for children with disabilities. The main objective of this group is to ensure that children with special needs receive FAPE.

  • Brown v. Board

    This case decided that it was unfair to segregate students by race in schools. This historical case paved the way for desegregation of special education students in school systems.

  • Section 504

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act allows protection from discrimination of special needs and disabilities. Tis law is considered the first law giving protection to students with special needs. This law includes FAPE and LRE.

  • The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975

    Congress intended that all children with disabilities would “have a right to education, and to establish a process by which State and local educational agencies may be held accountable for providing educational services for all handicapped children.” It was most recently reauthorized in 2004.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    This act was signed into law by President George W. Bush. It promised that those with special needs will have the same rights as everyone else, in school, work, etc.

  • IDEA

    The individuals with disabilities Education Act was signed into law by George W. Bush. This law includes 6 pillars: FAPE, LRE, IEP, evaluation, parent/student participation, and all procedural safeguards for participants.

  • 9/11

    September 11 terroritst attacks

  • First iPhone

    After months of rumors and speculation, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone on Jan. 9, 2007.

  • Boston Marathon Bombings

    On April 15, 2013, two explosions occurred near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring over 200.

  • Hurricane Florence

    Hurricane Florence made landfall in NC and caused major damage in Southeastern NC

  • COVID 19

    On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic