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Emergence of Formal Deaf Education
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc opened the first free public education program for deaf students in Harford, Connecticut. Gallaudet was inspired by teaching his 9-year-old neighbor, Alice Cogswell, who was deaf but still able to read and write. Their school attracted children from across the country who traveled to Connecticut to learn the very first American Sign Language. -
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
Edouard Seguin founded an association to advocate for the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Initially called the Association of Medical Officers of American Institutions for Idiotic and Feebleminded Persons, it changes to become the AAIDD in 2007. The organization aims to raise awareness about children's disabilities among policymakers, establish research initiatives, define best practices, and promote the well-being of individuals with disabilities. -
Bradley Home - First Psychiatric Hospital for Children
The Bradley Home was opened on April 8, 1931, linked to the local Hospital Pine Room. Georges and Helen Bradley converted their Baton House property in Providence, RI, after struggling to find treatment for their daughter Emma, who had disabilities from encephalitis. The couple ensured all children access to psychiatric treatment, requiring the hospital to serve families regardless of income. Today, the hospital continues to provide services for families dealing with psychiatric disorders. -
The Social Security Act
This law was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and aimed to provide federal support to unemployed individuals and older or retired citizens. It specifically assisted people with disabilities through a program known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The SSI program offered support to dependent and disabled children, blind individuals, and other adults affected by disabilities related to their professions. This highlighted the primary federal focus on disability issues -
First Program for Learning disabilities Syracuse
The first public school program dedicated to students with learning disabilities opened at Syracuse University in New York. Professor Dr. William Cruickshank established a special Department of Education for Exceptional children within the School of Education. This initiative emerged in the aftermath of World War II, which prompted increased awareness and consideration of special needs education. -
The National Association of Parents and Friends of Retarded Children (NARC)
NARC, which became ARC in 1992, was established by parents in Minneapolis. Its mission was to lead research and advocate for families with children with disabilities. Among its research efforts, ARC has drawn conclusions about the impact of lead poisoning on developmental delays and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The organization also collaborated with other groups to establish Medicaid and Medicare. ARC has consistently supported the integration and well-being of people with disabilities. -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (347 U.S. 483)
The U.S. Supreme Court prohibited racial segregation in public schools based on the 14th Amendment. The decision emphasized that separate schools for white and Black students were unequal and, therefore, unconstitutional. This ruling challenged the earlier Supreme Court case, Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) which supported that separate public school facilities remained equal.This Supreme Court decision had a significant impact in the Southern United States. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g41X6_XY1rQ -
The Civil Right Act
The Civil Rights Act was signed in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson, following President John F. Kennedy's vision of providing equal treatment to all Americans, whatever their race, religion, gender, or national origin. Title IV of this Act specifically emphasizes the desegregation of public schools. The Act aimed to end segregation in public settings, including schools, and to eliminate discrimination in services and rights such as voting and access to federal programs. -
Elementary & Secondary Education Act
President Lyndon Johnson signed this act to combat poverty. It aimed to provide federal assistance to schools in very disadvantaged areas and to families living below the poverty line. This initiative helps students access quality education and resources, ensuring a greater chance of success in school. This led to the creation of Title I programs, such as Head Start, which aim to provide greater opportunities for disadvantaged children from very low-income communities. -
The Bilingual Education Act
This act ensures that schools receive extra funding to create specific programs for students with lower English proficiency. Public schools that accommodate non-English speakers and immigrant children used to receive fewer resources than other schools. The B.E.A aimed to provide equal funding and support for bilingual education and then ensure equal chance to succeed to all students. -
Children with Specific Learning Disabilities Act
The Children with Specific Learning Disabilities Act is a precursor to the Education of the Handicapped Act of 1970. This was the first instance in which Congress recognized the need for specific services to support children with learning disabilities. It later evolved into the EHA and, later IDEA. Ultimately, this legislation represented hope for families whose children with disabilities had been overlooked in the past. -
Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia
In this case before the Supreme Court, children with disabilities (including mental, physical, and behavioral disabilities) were denied an education by the school board of the District of Columbia. Seven families decided to sue the district for failing to provide appropriate education for their children. While the district argued that a lack of funds justified the denial of education, Judge Joseph Cornelius Waddy stated that all funds must be equitably distributed to benefit all children. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehab Act)
The Rehab Act prohibits discrimination based on disabilities. It protects the rights of people with disabilities in education under Section 504, in employment and in federal programs. Section 504 covers individuals whose physical or mental impairments significantly impact one or more major life activities. Consequently, schools are required to provide a free appropriate public education and accommodate students in accordance with Section 504 to ensure they attend general education classroom. -
The Equal Educational Opportunities Act (EEOA)
The EEOA requires schools to remove any obstacles to language differences. It also ensures that all students participate and enjoy equal chances to access any school program. This act is not limited to students but also protects the school’s staff. It reinforces the fight against discrimination based on race, color, religion, origin, gender, and language. This led to Title I programs like Head Start which provide greater opportunities for disadvantaged children from very low-income communities. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (public Law 94-142)
This law aims to ensure that all children with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education, just like their peers. It covers all types of disabilities, including mental, learning, physical, and emotional challenges. The law marks the end of denial and segregation based on disabilities, allowing disabled children to finally receive tailored educational support. Here is a video titled "Tearing Down the Wall of Exclusion": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhHPTFBvmCg -
IDEA or The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEA is an extension of EAH, whereby the needs of disabled students were not adequately met (students in separate classrooms and weak curriculum). IDEA ensures a free and appropriate education to all disabled students and incorporates the concept of inclusion. As a result, students with disabilities are allowed to attend general education classes, and the law requires schools to strive to improve these children's learning experiences and achievements. Here is the link https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. Its purpose is to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in various aspects of life, including employment, transportation, and participation in state and local government programs. Title II of the ADA specifically addresses public schools. The ADA applies to all states, regardless of whether they receive federal funding.https://www.ada.gov/ -
The IDEA Reauthorization 1997
The IDEA Reauthorization introduced significant changes to the initial version of the law. It specifically involved parents by granting them more rights and adding new procedures to facilitate the transition of disabled students to secondary education. Additionally, ADHD was included as a recognized learning disability. The reauthorization also ensured that students have access to the general curriculum through the concept of the least restrictive environment or mainstreaming. -
The No Child Left Behind Act
The law signed by Pst George W. Bush is an extension of the ESEA. This law focuses on K-2 education, aiming to lower gaps between students from lower and higher income communities. It specifically targets students from low SES backgrounds, those in special education, and minority groups, ensuring they have equal access to quality education and fair opportunity to succeed by encouraging schools to comply with the law and continue to receive funding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qk00niNQwA -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004)
Congress reauthorized IDEA and added changes to improve opportunities for success. This includes the development of the Individualized Education Plan and reevaluation of the expectations for standards, accommodations, and assessment. The IDEA 2004 increased financial support for local state education systems to ensure the implementation of these changes. It also added the notion of Least Restrictive Environment requiring schools to place disabled students alongside their non-disabled peers. -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
ESSA was passed by Pst Barack Obama in 2015 to offer greater flexibility on standards and actions to state and local districts . It revised the NCLB Act, which was criticized for strongly supporting testing, mathematics, and reading but neglecting science in social studies. Thus, ESSA allows the states to decide over assessment, Including adapting the way to measure achievement in students with disability and ELL students,
https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/laws-preschool-grade-12-education/essa