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Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet founded the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. This school was the first permanent school in the U.S. that was dedicated to the education of students with disabilities. The American School for the Deaf made it known that children with disabilities can learn when their individual needs were met. -
Samuel Gridley Howe founded the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts in 1829. This school was the first school in the U.S. for students that had visual impairments. Perkins School for the Blind helped move thinking away from institutional care and toward education-focused services, which later supported more inclusive practices and teaching methods. -
The Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Although this case focused mainly on racial segregation, the case also influenced disability rights by supporting equal access to education. It helped set the stage for later inclusion and least restrictive environment laws. Brown v. Board of Education in PBS' The Supreme Court -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 gave federal funding to support students from low-income families and students with disabilities. This act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was the first major step of federal involvement in public education and helped build services and resources for students with special needs. ESEA played an important role in shaping special education laws. -
The Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Pennsylvania case decided that children with disabilities have the right to a free public education. It stressed the importance of educating students in the least restrictive environment and helped stop the exclusion of students with disabilities from public schools. This case directly shaped future federal special education laws. -
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is an American legistation that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal funding. Section 504 ensured that schools provide accommodations for students with disabilities. This law extended access to general education classrooms. It remains a key civil rights protection today. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) was signed into law by President Gerald Ford in 1975. This law guaranteed free and appropriate public education for all students with disabilities. It required schools to create individualized education programs (IEPs) and place students in the least restrictive setting. This law made special education required across the country and changed how schools support students with disabilities. -
In 1990, EAHCA was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA focused on using person-first language, planning for life after school, and including students in general education classrooms. It also extended services for students with autism and traumatic brain injuries. Today, IDEA still plays a major role in guiding special education. IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act -
The Every Student Succeeds Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2015. The Every Student Succeeds Act replaced the No Child Left Behind Act. It focuses on equal educational opportunities while giving states more flexibility. It continues to hold schools accountable for students with disabilities and supports inclusive practices, with a strong focus on access to the general education curriculum. -
The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2022. The NCLB Act required schools to include students with disabilities in statewide assessments. It focused on holding schools accountable and making sure all students made academic progress. NCLB increased testing accommodations and required more data reporting. It also raised expectations for students with disabilities in general education classrooms.