-
American School for the Deaf
Founded by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, the American School for the Deaf was the first institution of its kind in the United States, marking a significant beginning for organized education for students with disabilities. This pioneering school opened the doors to educational opportunities that were previously unavailable to the deaf community in America. -
Gallaudet University
Established in Washington D.C., Gallaudet University was the first university for the deaf in the world. It has played a fundamental role in the education, advancement, and empowerment of the deaf community. Gallaudet remains a symbol of academic excellence and cultural identity within the deaf community, continuing to influence education policies and practices globally. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA)
he Education for All Handicapped Children Act, later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, was signed into law in 1975. This landmark legislation mandated that all children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education tailored to their individual needs in the least restrictive environment. Article Link: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/IDEA-History#:~:text=On%20November%2029%2C%201975%2C%20President,and%20locality%20across%20the%20country. -
Mainstreaming Movements
Throughout the 1980s, mainstreaming emerged as a significant educational model, advocating for the integration of students with disabilities into general education classrooms whenever appropriate. This approach was based on the principle that all students, regardless of their disabilities, should have the opportunity to learn in the least restrictive environment alongside their peers. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
he Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted in 1990, is a comprehensive civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. It covers all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and all public and private spaces that are open to the general public. -
IDEA Amendments
The 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) strengthened the focus on inclusion, emphasizing that children with disabilities should be educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE) that is appropriate to their individual needs. These amendments also enhanced the role of parents in the IEP process and required schools to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities. Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/3XMndYNEGFA?si=-XMo_Fqx9UW7w1yO -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, significantly changing the education landscape in the U.S. It introduced measures that required states to develop assessments in basic skills and set high academic standards. Importantly, it included provisions to ensure that schools improve the performance of all students, including those with disabilities. -
IDEA Reauthorization
The 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) strengthened the commitment to ensuring that children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. This update placed greater emphasis on measuring educational outcomes, requiring states to develop and implement strategies that enhance the educational progress of students with disabilities in regular classrooms. Link: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/ -
Inclusion in Education
The 2010s marked a significant advance in the movement toward full inclusion in educational settings. This decade saw a shift towards ensuring that students with disabilities received their education alongside their nondisabled peers as much as possible. Driven by evolving educational policies, research affirming the benefits of inclusive education, and advocacy from disability rights groups, schools increasingly implemented models designed to support all students in general education classrooms -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 replaced the No Child Left Behind Act, shifting more authority back to the states to set their own educational standards and accountability measures. It allows for greater flexibility in integrating students with disabilities into mainstream education and focuses on creating more adaptive and accommodating learning environments.