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Thomas H. Gallaudet opens the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. Gallaudet traveled to Paris to study their methods of manual communication and started communicating using sign language.

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Louis Braille invents a raised point alphabet known as Braille, that is first taught at the St. Louis School for the Blind in 1860.

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The National Association of the Deaf (NAD)

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The National Association of the Deaf (NAD)

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The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the leading civil rights advocacy group for the deaf in the United States. Their focus is early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications and youth leadership. Contact Information: Phone: (301)810-3182

Email: nad.info@nad.org

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The Council for Exceptional Children was founded on August 10, 1922 by a group of teachers at Columbia University. They promote inclusiveness and are dedicated to students with disabilities. They offer training as well as jobs to help students and families. Contact Information:

Phone (888)232-7733

Email service@exceptionalchildren.org

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Franklin D. Roosevelt elected President 

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Franklin D. Roosevelt elected President 

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Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected the 32nd president in November 1932. He is the first person with a disability to be elected President. He contracted polio which paralyzed him from the waist down. While in office, he supported the start of The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis later renamed The March of Dimes.

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The term Autism was created by Dr. Leo Kanner at John's Hopkins University. Dr. Kanner published Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact in 1943. He studied child psychiatry, infant autism and his research of children at birth through early life became the basis for what is called childhood autism spectrum disorder.

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National "Employ the Physically Handicapped Week"

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National "Employ the Physically Handicapped Week"

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Congress enacted Public Law 176, declaring the first week of October each year as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. Our country now recognizes every October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

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The ruling in Brown V. The Board of Education paved the way for the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. In this case, the court found that “Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”

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The American Council of the Blind is an advocacy group run by people with visual impairments who advocate for their independence throughout the United States. Through education and resources they offer services and assistance.

Contact Information: (800)424-8666 info@acb.org

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The Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Act of 1963

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The Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Act of 1963

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This Act passed by President Kennedy was meant to provide federal funding for community mental health centers and research facilities devoted to the causes and treatment of people with disabilities.

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Ed Roberts and the University of California, Berkeley

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Ed Roberts and the University of California, Berkeley

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Ed Roberts was the first person in a wheelchair to attend the University of California at Berkeley. He is regarded as the "father" of the disability rights movement. Ed and Judy Neumann started the Independent Living Movement and later helped to establish the first Center for Independent Living.

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The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, or national origin. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the primary education law that protects people from discrimination in educational programs and activities.

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The Autism Society of America was founded in 1965 and is a national non profit organization. Their main goal is to increase the public awareness about autism and the issues people with Autism face. Contact Information:

Phone: 1 (800) 328-8476
Email: info@autism-society.org

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Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

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Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

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This Act was passed by Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1965 which gave grants and funding to schools to use for programs to educate students with disabilities.

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Judy Huemann sues NY Board of Education 

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Judy Huemann sues NY Board of Education 

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Judy Heumann was denied her teaching license due to her disability and failing a medical exam. She sued the New York Board of Education and won becoming the first person in a wheelchair to teach in the state of New York. She is said to be the "mother" of the disability rights movement.

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"Protecting Every Child's Right to Learn"

Through AFC's parent center they have educational training, information and assistance for parents of children with disabilities ages 0-26. Their staff helps to advise parents of their legal rights, negotiates on their behalf, and represents them in administrative hearings to obtain the services their children need to support their development, succeed in school, and maximize their independence.

Contact Information: Phone (212)947-9779 Email: info@advocatesforchildren.org

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The First Center for Independent Living 

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The First Center for Independent Living 

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In 1972 in Berkeley, California the first Center for Independent Living was founded by Ed Roberts. Centers for Independent Living are run by persons with disabilities and offers peer support and assistance. Ed Roberts helped to create the Center for Independent Living, Inc.

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Mills v. Board of Education District of Columbia 

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Mills v. Board of Education District of Columbia 

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Mills v. The Board of Education District of Columbia ruled that students with disabilities are entitled to a public education regardless of whether they can pay for their education. This court ruling found that "all children are entitled to a free public education and training appropriate to their learning capacities".

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Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first civil rights law for people with disabilities in the US. It prohibits discrimination and requires all schools to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education to every qualified student with a disability. Section 504 states: "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance "

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Education for All Handicapped Children Act

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Education for All Handicapped Children Act

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The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1974 gave all students with disabilities the right to be educated in public schools. It increased federal spending for programs needed for children with disabilities.

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The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH)

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The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH)

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TASH is a national non profit organization founded in 1975 that promotes inclusion for students with disabilities. TASH's mission is to support full inclusion of people with disabilities to avoid the social injustices that take away their human rights. They provide resources to family and students with disabilities.

Contact Information: Phone (202)817-3264

Email: info@tash.org

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Education for All Handicapped Children Act

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Education for All Handicapped Children Act

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The Education for All Handicapped Children Act guaranteed a free appropriate public education to every child with disability in America. This was signed by President Gerald R. Ford. The law gave funding to states and incentives to provide for the accommodations. This introduced the Individual Education Plan (IEP). This provided an outline for modifications, accommodations and services needed for the student so they may receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

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Judy Neumann and other activists sat in front of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare building in San Francisco, and demanded the regulations of Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 be signed. This was a 26 day protest which is the longest demonstration outside a federal building in history.

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The National Down Syndrome Society helps families advocate for each other by offering helpful resources, reaching out to local communities and advocating for policy change. Contact information

Phone: 800-221-4602

Email: info@ndss.org

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Hendrick Hudson Dist. Bd. Of Ed. V. Rowley

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Hendrick Hudson Dist. Bd. Of Ed. V. Rowley

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Hendrick Hudson Dist. Bd. Of Ed. V. Rowley was the first EHA case heard by the Supreme Court. Amy Rowley, a student with a hearing disability requested an interpreter and was denied.

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Amendment to Education for All Handicapped Children Act 1986

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Amendment to Education for All Handicapped Children Act 1986

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This amendment provided for children with disabilities from birth including infants and toddlers. Individual states provided these services. Before this amendment, these services were not available until age 3.

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American with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a civil rights law that prevents discrimination based on a disability. The ADA gave people with disabilities rights to employment, transportation, public accommodations and state and federal services. This requires employers to make reasonable accommodations to qualified employees, prohibits discrimination from government agencies, requires phone and internet services be provided for people with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate and gave equal opportunity to Americans with disabilities to be able to use public transportation systems.

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 1990 

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 1990 

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The Act formerly known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, was reformed in 1990 now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA. This act added traumatic brain injury and autism as a disability. IDEA also required that in addition to the IEP an ITP (Individual Transition Plan) be added to help students transition into life after graduation. This law ensures students with a disability receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

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The Oberti v. Board of Education of the Borough of Clementon School District (1993) 

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The Oberti v. Board of Education of the Borough of Clementon School District (1993) 

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The Oberti v. Board of Education of the Borough of Clementon School District (1993) started a 3 part test for schools when determining Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). 1. A school needs to make a “reasonable effort” in including the student in the general education classroom 2. compare the educational benefits of being included in the general education classroom with supplemental aids to being educated in the special education classroom 3. consider the impact of the inclusion of the student on their non-disabled peers.

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This law provided access for students with disabilities to the general curriculum. The definition of children with disabilities expanded to include developmentally delayed children between three and nine years of age. It also required parents to attempt to resolve disputes with schools and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) through mediation, and provided a process for doing so. The amendments authorized additional grants for technology, infants and toddlers with disabilities, parent training, and professional development.

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The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000

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The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000

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The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 encourages students with disabilities and their families to help shape policy changes that affect them. The act was meant to “assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life."

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New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities 

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New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities 

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This advocacy group was established after the Federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. This group advocates for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities. The goal of the CDD is to empower people through self advocacy skills, advance public policy and create an environment in NY state of inclusion, acceptance, independence and self determination. Contact Information:

Phone (518)486-7505

Email: information @cdd.ny.gov

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The No Child Left Behind Act or NCLB was signed into law on January 8, 2002 by President Bush. This Act provided technology support and loans for special education programs. This requires states to create objectives to meet the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). AYP provides objectives for disadvantaged students, students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency. The NCLB introduced the term Highly Qualified Teacher and requires states to provide Highly Qualified Teachers to students.

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) 2004

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) 2004

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The IDEA 2004 provides federal financial assistance to State and Local Education Agencies to guarantee special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education improvement Act made changes to the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) process, changes to due process and changes to student discipline on a case by case basis. Early intervening services for children not currently identified as needing special education but who need additional academic and behavioral support to succeed in a general education environment, as well as more accountability and improved educational outcomes as well as higher standards for teachers who teach special education classes.

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Autism Speaks was founded in 2005 and is the worlds largest Autism research organization. Their goal is to help families by providing support and activities.

Contact Information:

Phone: 888-288-4762

imaginewhatcanbe@autismspeaks.org

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The People First Respectful Language Modernization Act of 2006

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The People First Respectful Language Modernization Act of 2006

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The People First Respectful Language Modernization Act of 2006 was enacted by the Council of the District of Columbia on July 11, 2006 to “require the use of respectful language when referring to people with disabilities in all new and revised District laws, regulations, rules, and publications and all internet publications.” People first language (PFL) requires the person come before the disability. Disabled children should be referred to as "children with disabilities" and autistic children should be referred to as a "child who has autism". Examples of people first language are a "person who is blind" and a "person who has cognitive learning disabilities."

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IDEA regulations of 2006 required schools to use research based interventions in the process of assisting students with learning difficulties or determining eligibility for special education. The 2006 regulations changed the resolution process used when a parent files a due process complaint.

This act provided services for parent placed private school children with disabilities to the local educational agency (LEA) in which the private school is located. This part B targeted school age children.

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This Act was signed by George W. Bush and made changes to the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The definition of disability was changed to broaden the definition. One of the changes being "An impairment is a disability if it substantially limits the ability of an individual to perform a major life activity as compared to most people in the general population".

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President Barack Obama signs Rosa's Law named after Rosa Marcellino, a young girl with down syndrome. This law ended the use of the term "mental retardation" now known as "intellectual disability".

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In September 2011 there were amendments made to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for babies and toddlers with disabilities under the age of 2. These amendments created the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for infants and toddlers having developmental delays and disabilities.

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The Protection of People with Special Needs Act 

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The Protection of People with Special Needs Act 

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The Protection of People with Special Needs Act created a Code of Conduct when hiring employees that work with people with special needs. This Act was passed to ensure the safety of individuals with a disability from abuse and neglect.

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Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs 

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Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs 

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This advocacy group was founded in 2013 after the Protection of People with Special Needs Act. This agency serves the people of NY and has a hotline that operates 24 hours a day/7 days a week to investigate claims of neglect and abuse. This center provides support services for individuals with disabilities and guardians. Contact Information:

Phone: 518-549-0200 Email: webmaster@justicecenter.ny.gov

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Every Student Succeeds Act was signed by President Obama and marked the 50th anniversary of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). This law replaced the No Child Left Behind Act (2001). ESSA created new requirements for students with disabilities. Under ESSA most students with disabilities would be required to take standardized tests. This law states only 1% of students should be excused from standardized tests, and this is reserved for students with severe cognitive disabilities. This Act was deigned to ensure all students are educated with high academic standards to ensure they succeed in college and careers. This act required standardized tests continue through grades 3-8. ESSA found that students with disabilities are bullied more than other students and they require schools to create programs to end bullying. It gave families access to high quality preschools. This Act ensures that schools with low performance and low graduation rates will be held accountable.

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KASSA was designed to prevent students with disabilities from being abused by restraint or seclusion. This act requires schools to stop using dangerous practices to restrain students after many deaths and injuries occurred in special education classrooms.