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The Perkins School for the Blind, located in Massachusetts, was the first school for students who are blind in the United States. It pioneered education for children with visual impairments and became a model for other schools. Some notable alumni are Helen Keller and Laura Bridgman. -
Louis Braille was a French educator that created the braille system in the 1820s. By the 1860s, braille began being adopted in the United States. This gave blind students a tactile reading and writing method. This transformed literal for blind and low-vision individuals worldwide. -
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) was founded in 1940 to advocate for the rights and opportunities of people who are blind. The NFB continues to influence legislation, technology, and education. This helps students to gain equal access in schools and beyond. NFB -
While focused on racial segregation, this Supreme Court decision influenced disability rights. It declared that “separate is not equal,” later laying the foundation for mainstreaming and inclusive education for students with disabilities, including those who are blind. -
This law increased federal funding for education and created programs for disadvantaged students. Title I supported access to education for children with disabilities, including those with low vision, helping expand services in public schools. -
Section 504 prohibited discrimination based on disability in federally funded programs, including schools. This law required schools to provide accommodations like braille, large print, or assistive technology to students who are blind or visually impaired. -
This law guaranteed free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. For blind and low-vision students, it meant services like braille instruction, mobility training, and mainstream classroom access became federal rights. Education for All Handicapped Children Act -
The ADA extended disability protections to public spaces, transportation, and employment. For schools, it reinforced accessibility requirements, leading to greater accommodations like tactile signage, braille materials, and accessible technology for blind students. -
IDEA updated and expanded the 1975 law. It emphasized inclusion, ensuring that students with disabilities including blind and low-vision learners, were educated alongside peers whenever possible. The law also increased access to assistive technology. -
This law required schools to provide textbooks and educational materials in accessible formats such as braille, digital, or large print. It ensured that blind and low-vision students could access the same learning content at the same time as their peers.