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Principal of the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction
Thomas Gallaudet whole future changed when he met a deaf and mute girl named Alice Cogswell. He was determined to help her during her tough situation and traveled to Europe to learn ways to teach children who are deaf. After this Dr. Mason Cogswell offered a major life changing opportunity to Thomas. Rev. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet became the principal of the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons. This was the first residential school in the United States. -
First Teacher Training Program
Normal schools were created to teach future elementary school teachers how this will be like in common school. Common schools are now known as public schools in the United States. The first public normal schools that was founded in the United States in 1839. This was located in Massachusetts the public and private school systems offered two-year course training programs for teachers. Now the twentieth century teacher-training programs requirements have increased to four years. -
First Public School Class for Children with Hearing Impairments
The Horace Mann School for the Deaf was founded in 1869. This is the oldest public day school in the United States. Deaf and Hard of Hearing students were given a great opportunity by attending this school. Students have the right to an appropriate learning environment and reflect on ones specific learning style. This allows them to be successful in their studies. -
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Edouard Seguin helped organize the first professional association concerned with intellectual disability. This was a predecessor of today’s American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, also known as AAIDD. It is known to be the world’s oldest trans-disciplinary and professional organization that was determined to assist students with intellectual disabilities. The headquarters for the association is located in Washington, D.C. -
Seeing Eye Dogs were Introduced
In 1928, seeing eye dogs for individuals with blindness became introduced in the United States. The year of 1927 two German Shepard dogs were chosen to be trained to assist people who are blind. Morris Frank was the first person to train with a guide dog in Switzerland in 1928. The dog was Buddy. Morris and Buddy conducted an experiment to prove if guide dogs can be successful in crossing a busy street in New York. It was a success.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwYHXNItSks&feature=emb_title -
The Association for Children with Learning Disabilities
In 1963, the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities was founded. A group of parents created a conference that took place in Chicago, Illinois. The conference was titled “Exploration into the Problems of the Perceptually Handicapped Child”. Professionals and parents were both concerned the situation of how to help students with disabilities. They recognized that the dire need for services for children with disabilities. The Learning Disabilities Association of America was formed. -
Diana V. School Board of Education
Diana V. Board of Education was a major case that took place in 1970. The case was created because nine Mexican-American children were not assessing the IQ tests to be placed into EMR classes. People found the placement to be discriminating so that is where the lawsuit came in.(https://serr.disabilityrightsca.org/serr-manual/chapter-2-information-on-evaluations-assessments/2-48-what-was-the-diana-v-state-board-of-education-case-what-impact-does-the-diana-case-have-on-spanish-speaking-students/) -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children V. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was a case that occurred in 1972. This was the first right to an education lawsuit that took place in the United States. This was meant to overturn the Pennsylvania law and make sure that each child receives a quality education. The case was settled rather quickly and resulted in a consent that stated that each state had agreed to provide free public education for children with mental retardation. -
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was a law that required individuals that had disabilities to be accommodated in any program of activity that has funding involved. This law was not created for education but it has helped and protected student’s rights in different programs. Extra-curricular activities for students at an older age and after school programs for younger students. Any program that received funding from the federal government were not allowed to turn students with disabilities away. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Public schools did not have many obligations to children that had disabilities. If students did attend schools, they were segregated. That was until 1975, when the passing of The Education for All Handicapped Children Act. All students that were handicapped were granted equal access to education and were supposed to be placed in a least restrictive environment. All students deserve a fair and equal opportunity to proper education. This act helped many students during this tough time. -
Handicap Act Amendments were Enacted
In 1986, congress enacted the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments. These amendments reauthorized and reinforced the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments. Each amendment has a specific agenda that have better services that can help children with special needs. The amendments also help the families of the students. There is a unique role of families in the developmental process of handicapped children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj2dBLi7zvQ -
Least Restrictive Environment Case
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act implementing laws have provided for a free and appropriate education. Unfortunately, the laws and regulations give the school districts the opportunity on how to determine the least restrictive environment for their students. The number of conflicts over the years have ended in numerous court cases. The courts decided that students with disabilities should be educated in regular settings, only if it is right for their educational needs. -
Agostini v. Felton
In 1997 a suit was bought into court by a New York parochial school board and its parents and teachers. The case was to challenge and confront the District Court that ruled a twelve-year old decision in Aguilar V. Felton. Aguilar’s decision prohibited schoolteachers from teaching in parochial schools. This obviously being a violation of the Establishment Clause.
(https://www.oyez.org/cases/1996/96-552)