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The American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut, was the first permanent school for children with disabilities in the United States. Founded by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc, it provided education to students who were deaf at a time when no formal schooling was available to them. -
The Perkins School for the Blind was established in Boston, Massachusetts, as the first school for students who were blind in the U.S. Founded by Samuel Gridley Howe, the school developed innovative teaching methods, such as tactile learning systems, that helped make education accessible for students with visual impairments. Perkins became a model for educating students with disabilities and demonstrated that children once considered “unteachable” could learn and thrive academically. -
The Council for Exceptional Children was founded by a group of educators committed to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities and gifted learners. This organization became one of the leading professional associations advocating for special education teachers, policy changes, and best practices. CEC continues to shape professional standards and influence policy that supports inclusive education for all learners. -
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled school segregation by race was unconstitutional, even if resources were allotted equally. Families of students with disabilities used the decision to argue that segregated schooling for children with disabilities was also unconstitutional. -
The ESEA, passed in 1965, initiated the role of the federal government in protecting and providing for students in low-income backgrounds so they have equal access to the public education system. A critical component of the ESEA for children with disabilities was the grant program, encouraging states to create and refine programs for students with disabilities. Article -
This case was a landmark decision that guaranteed the right to free public education for children with intellectual disabilities. The ruling required schools to provide educational opportunities that met the needs of these students rather than excluding them from public schools. It reinforced the principle that students with disabilities have the same right to education as their peers and moved the country closer to inclusive schooling. -
This case expanded the right to education to all children with disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability. The court held that lack of funding was not a valid excuse for denying educational services to students with disabilities. This case emphasized that all children deserve equal access to education and set an important precedent for the development of special education legislation, including the least restrictive environment requirement. -
This federal legislation, signed by President Ford, guaranteed a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for all children with disabilities. It also introduced the concept of the least restrictive environment (LRE), which required schools to educate students with disabilities in settings as close as possible to general education classrooms. -
The ADA, signed by President Bush, extended civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in multiple areas, including employment, public accommodations, and education. It reinforced the principle that exclusion based on disability is a form of discrimination. In schools, the ADA strengthened inclusive practices by requiring accessibility and accommodations, ensuring students with disabilities could learn alongside their peers in general education environments. -
The IDEIA emphasized accountability, early intervention, and alignment with general education standards. It strengthened the requirement that students with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment and provided support for differentiated instruction and inclusion. IDEIA further promoted collaboration between general and special educators. Video