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Thomas Gallaudet established the first American School for the deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. It gave deaf children their first chance at formal education in America. It showed the country that students with disabilities could learn and succeed. -
The Perkins School for the Blind opened in Massachusetts as the first school for students who were blind in the United States. The school gave blind students new opportunities to learn reading, writing, and job skills. It also helped change people’s views about what blind individuals could achieve. -
By 1918, every state required children to attend school. This was an important step in making education a right for all children. However, many children with disabilities were still excluded from classrooms. The law laid the foundation for future changes to include students with disabilities. -
This Supreme Court case ended racial segregation in schools. The Court said that “separate is not equal,” which was a major change in U.S. education. This case inspired families of students with disabilities to demand equal treatment for their children. It showed that all children deserve access to the same schools and opportunities. VideoLink -
A group of parents in Pennsylvania fought for their children with intellectual disabilities to go to school. Before this case, many of these children were denied access to classrooms. The court ruled that they had the same right to an education as other children. This decision helped pave the way for including students in general education. It was one of the first major victories for disability rights in education. -
This court case in Washington, D.C., expanded the rights from the PARC case. The ruling said all children with disabilities must have access to free public education. It didn’t matter what type of disability they had or how much it cost. This case was important because it included students with physical, emotional, and learning disabilities. -
EAHCA stands for the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This law guaranteed a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for all students with disabilities. It also required schools to create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The law introduced the least restrictive environment (LRE), which meant students should learn in general classrooms whenever possible.
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The ADA was a civil rights law that protected people with disabilities from discrimination. It covered schools, jobs, public buildings, and transportation. This law made sure students with disabilities had equal access to education and community life. Ramps, accessible buses, and other changes became more common because of the ADA. The law created more opportunities for inclusion outside of school as well. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was updated in 1997. It required schools to include students with disabilities in state testing. The reauthorization also focused on behavior supports and improving inclusion in classrooms. Students with disabilities were given more chances to learn with their classmates. -
In 2004, IDEA was updated again to align with No Child Left Behind. The new law focused on early intervention and making sure students with disabilities could access the general curriculum. It also strengthened accountability for schools. Teachers were required to set clear goals and track progress for each student. -
ESSA replaced No Child Left Behind but kept protections for students with disabilities. The law gave states more control over how to measure school success. However, it still required schools to include students with disabilities in testing and accountability. ESSA encouraged more inclusive classroom practices.