History of Special Education and Inclusive Education Timeline

By camilatri
  • First American School for the Deaf

    First American School for the Deaf

    Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc opened the first permanent school for students with hearing impairments in Hartford, Connecticut. This was the beginning of organized special education in the U.S. and provided access to education for children who were previously excluded.
  • First School for the Blind

    First School for the Blind

    Samuel Gridley Howe established the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston. This was the first U.S. school to serve students with visual impairments and helped expand opportunities for learning beyond the general population.
  • First Public Special Ed Class

    First Public Special Ed Class

    Providence, Rhode Island, established the first public school class for students with disabilities. This marked the start of public schools taking responsibility for children with special needs.
  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education

    This landmark Supreme Court case declared that “separate but equal” schools were unconstitutional. While not directly about disabilities, it laid the foundation for inclusive education by challenging segregation in all forms.
  • PARC v. Pennsylvania

    PARC v. Pennsylvania

    The case ruled that children with intellectual disabilities could not be denied free public education. It established the right of students with disabilities to attend public schools.
  • Mills v. Board of Education

    Mills v. Board of Education

    The court found that children with disabilities in Washington, D.C. must be provided with public education. It reinforced the idea that lack of funding was not an excuse to deny students their rights.
  • Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act

    Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act

    Section 504 prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal funds. This was one of the first civil rights laws to protect people with disabilities.
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    This law required public schools to provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). It is the foundation for today’s IDEA. https://youtu.be/3XMndYNEGFA?si=IRNpCwrnUBaDFnEv
  • Americans With Disabilities Act

    Americans With Disabilities Act

    The ADA extended civil rights protections to people with disabilities in schools, workplaces, and public spaces. It promoted equal opportunities and accessibility.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Ed. Imp. Act

    Individuals with Disabilities Ed. Imp. Act

    This updated IDEA and emphasized accountability, inclusion, and access to the general education curriculum. It reinforced that students with disabilities should be educated alongside their peers whenever possible. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/