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The American School for the Deaf was founded in Hartford, Connecticut by Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc. It would become the very first permanent school for the deaf in the United States. The founding of this school marked a significant time in the United States and the beginning of special education services for deaf students in the States.
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In Massachusetts, Perkins School for the Blind opened as the first school for students with visual impairments in the U.S. It was a huge feat in teaching others that students with disabilities could learn with the help of individualized special instruction. This same school went on to educate the infamous Hellen Keller. -
Brown vs. Board of Education ruled against segregation in public schools on the basis of it being unconstitutional. This specific case focused on race, but later influenced court decisions on students with disabilities. This defined equal education access. -
The ESEA made a huge impact in providing federal funding to support education for minority students and students with disabilities. The law gave federal responsibility in education. It was groundbreaking for its time. -
First Federal Civil Rights law that protected individuals with disabilities from being discriminated against. It made a gateway for schools that received federal funding to give equal access to these individuals. This law also aided in supporting inclusion in education settings that were not schools. -
This law was very important as it guaranteed students with disabilities free appropriate public education. It created the IEP program. It also made huge steps in inclusion in public schools.
https://youtu.be/G4Xzvafi-Pg?si=Lv2gPWS0zlbXoP5a -
This act prohibited the discrimination of individuals with disabilities in employment, education, and any public space. It was signed by President Bush in 1990. It reinforced inclusion beyond the school environment. -
IDEA wanted to push for people seeing the person before the disability, and educational practices that were inclusive. It was signed by President Ford in 1990. It was a critical step in education for disabled individuals. -
This law required disabled students to participate in standardized testing. This leveled the playing field for disabled students and non-disabled students. It raised the morale and self esteem of students with disabilities, because they felt like they were being challenged. -
In short, this protected students with disabilities. It maintained accountability for the states while giving them more leniency. It was signed by President Obama in 2015.