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In 1871, Thomas Gallaudet and Lauren Clerc opened the first American school for deaf students in Hartford, Connecticut. It was the first-ever educational setting for children with hearing impairments in the United States. It marked the beginning of institutional support for children with disabilities. -
Samuel Gridley Howe created and established the Perkins School for the blind in 1821 in Massachusetts. This, in turn, made it the first ever formal school for blind students, introducing them to various communicative forms, including Braille and many more. This then helped influence the creation and growth of educational programs nationwide. -
In 1955, the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation was unconstitutional in public schools. While in the beginning, it mainly was about students' race, it later paved the way for the argument of the unfair treatment disabled students were facing. This court ruling, in turn, opened up the world of inclusive educational advocacy. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act helped provide schools and educational resources with proper federal funding to support students facing disadvantages, as well as disabled students. This act was one of the first steps towards fair and just education for students and schools that were considered at risk. It helped create the foundation for promoting equal access to quality education for all students. -
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a court case from 1971 that changed the world forever. The outcome of this court case helped guarantee a fair education for children with intellectual disabilities. The courts soon realized they were violating the children's constitutional rights. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is considered one of the first civil rights laws in the United States that protected people with disabilities from being discriminated against. It ensured that schools, workplaces, and federally funded resources provided them with as much equal access as everyone else. This act would pave the way for future laws and acts that will continue to protect people with disabilities.
https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/section-504 -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 later became the IDEA Act, which made sure to provide students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education. It also mandated that schools implement individualized education programs. Lastly, the act also ensured that children with disabilities were educated alongside their peers, also known as the least restrictive environment, helping promote and establish inclusivity. -
The Americans with Disability Act helped expand disability protections to public life, workplaces, transportation, and schools. It ensured that focus was on granting and making accessibility available in buildings, programs, and services, helping to create inclusion not just in the classrooms but beyond them. This law was a significant civil rights victory for people with disabilities.
Video : https://youtu.be/zKyjshcxbI0?si=FE7DKDk-giNf57-i -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act expanded on the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, adding transition services, assistive technology, and measures for accountability. It helped keep inclusion strong by ensuring that students with disabilities had access to the general education curriculum alongside their peers. The Individuals with Disabilities Act continues to be an important part of special education law today. -
The Every Student Succeeds Act succeeded the No Child Left Behind Act, building upon it and focusing on the importance of equity and accountability. It made sure that students with disabilities could participate in state assessments and benefit from high standards. The act gave different states the chance to be more flexible while keeping inclusion at the center of their educational plans.