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Special Eduation
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The First Special Education School
The first special education school in the United States, the American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb (now called the American School for the Deaf), was established in Hartford, Connecticut, by Gallaudet. This was the first school designed to support individuals with disabilities/ did not fit the "general education" mold. Staff were trained to better support this population. -
Compulsory Education for All Children
In 1840, Rhode Island passed a law mandating compulsory education for children up to a certain age, however it took other states longer to make similar laws. In 1918, all states made the law that all students receive education. Although students with disabilities were still not always included in public schools. They were slowly integrated throughout the next decades. -
Council for Exceptional Children Established
This is still relevant as the major professional organization of special educators. This was first formed in 1922. This community spent decades, and still works to this day, to make changes for children with disabilities on a national level. -
Special Education Increases in Classrooms
In urban public schools, nearly every school district had a special education program by the 1950s. In the 1960s, special educators were instruction students in different settings such as hospital, home, special classes and small groups. Students with disabilities were finally starting to be recognized and accommodated within the public. This correlates with other larger establishments that were initiated in the 1960s on this timeline. -
Learning Disabilities Association of America
LDA was established in 1963 with the goal to support individuals with learning disabilities, their families, teachers and community members with information, solutions and resources. The goal was inclusivity for individuals with learning disabilities. This organization is still thriving today and supporting individuals with disabilities today. -
Autism Society of America
The goal of the Autism Society of America was to provide support, education and advocacy for individuals with autism and their families. It is important to remember in these years, autism was not very understood and was often misdiagnosed or misunderstood This organization built awareness and provided resources to support individuals, their families, and the community with better understanding Autism. Timetoast -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC)
The federal government officially got involved in research and in training special education professionals throughout the late 50s and 60s however, in 1970s, it was officially established. After a class action suit was filed against the Commonwealth by Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC), an agreement was made that all children ages 6-21 were provided free public education in the least restrictive alternative (now least restrictive environment [LRE]) which is a clause in EAHCA -
Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs that received federal funding. The act aimed to prohibit discrimination based on disability against activities that were conducted by federal agencies. It also required federal agencies to provide technology that is accessible to people with disabilities. This includes lifts, special transport, safety features, etc. -
The Bureau of Education for the Handicapped
Now called the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services [OSERS] funded projects with the objective to support the preparation of general education teachers to work with students with disabilities. This movement correlates with many other major reforms in the 70s, aiming to teach and prepare all teachers to work with children with disabilities. Overall, there were 260 programs across 45 states where special educators and general educators worked together in the classroom. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
Children with disabilities were included the public school system. This ensured that students with disabilities had access to Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Additionally, education was expected to better meet the needs of unique learners. This was the earliest version of what we call today, the IDEA. -
Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs and activities that receive federal assistance. Section 504 is another assurance that individuals with disabilities have equal access within the community. Additionally, organizations cannot exclude or deny individuals with disabilities from receiving benefits and services. -
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)
There were many stages in this. New teachers were undergoing training to be successful in the classroom. Competencies and broader standards were developed for individuals with disabilities. This was the initial development for special education course curriculum, that continued to develop throughout the decades. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
This is an anti-discrimination law that ensures that individuals with disabilities have equal access to businesses, public and private entities with reasonable accommodations. In addition, individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities in school, work, and within the community (economically, socially, etc.). The goal of ADA is for inclusivity and equality in the work place, community and beyond. Timetoast -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
NCLB was designed to improve education for ALL students by increasing accountability for schools to ensure that students regardless of background, ability/disability, gender, race, ELL status, etc. had access to strong public education to close the academic gap. The goal was to improve test scores for academic proficiency. It also provided low-income schools with additional funding. Timetoast -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA
This was formerly called the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, however in 2004 it was updated to represent significant progress for national and state requirements for intervention, special education and additional services for children with disabilities going to public schools. It reinforced the importance of FAPE. Timetoast -
Assistive Technology Act
This act provides federal funding to state grand programs for assistive technology for people with disabilities. This could include a variety of AT devices in multiple settings. This act also established advocacy services for individuals needing legal assistance to ensure they obtained their AT services and offer financial support/ low interest loans for people to purchase AT devices. It was initiated in 1988, and updated several times- its most recent amendment and authorization was in 2004. -
Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)
The amendments were designed to further protect individuals with disabilities. They broadened the definition to better support equality for a wider variety of people with disabilities, which ensures more people are protected within their community, employment and educationally.