Zachary Erwin
Dr. Mitchell
Intro to Learning Disabilities
September 3, 2019
History Timeline
1817- American School for the Deaf
Was intended to provide specialized instruction for individuals with disabilities. It was
the first of its kind in the western hemisphere, however in these early institutions the conditions
the patients were kept in were not the greatest.
1848- The Perkins Institution
This institution was the first to provide residency in Watertown, Massachusetts. It is now
known as the oldest school for the blind in the United States.
1864- The Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind
Was established after its predecessor the Perkins Institution and later became the first
establishment to award college degrees to individuals with disabilities.
1870- The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Was an advocacy group that was initially titled American Association of Mental
Retardation. This group and groups similar to this one are called advocacy groups. Their jobs
were to fight for the rights of those with disabilities as well as to improve the conditions that they
had been kepts in.
1900- United States Eugenics Movement
Took root in the United States in the early 1900’s led by Charles Davenport and Harry
Laughlin. Their goals were to improve families ``pedigree's” attempting to specifically
change/improve physical, mental, and moral traits. This is a process that the Nazi’s took after
when they went on their mission to create the Arion race. This movement peaked in the United
States from 1920-1930.
1946- The National Mental Health Foundation
Helped to explore the abusive conditions in the institutional setting. This organization
was instrumental in moving towards the deinstitutionalizing process.
1947- Alfred Strauss
Contributed to the field of Special Education, Changed terminology of “Brain-Injured
Child.”
1948- The National Paraplegia Movement
This was founded as a civilian branch of the Paralyzed Veterans Association. This helped
to begin leading the way for advocacy for the rights of those with disabilities.
1954- Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
This was centered on civil rights and helped begin the equality movement for education
1963-Samuel Kirk
Contributed to the special education field with those with a learning disability as well as
made LD the term to use.
1965-The Elementary and Secondary Act
Was passed as an educational measure in fighting the war on poverty. This act allowed
funding for low income students that were struggling academically. In the same year the Head
Start program was established as a means of providing early intervention for low income
preschool age children.
1966- Peter Clements
Contributed to the field of special education, created and used the term MBD.
1967-68- Hobson v. Hansen
This determined that a tracking system based on IQ testing is unconstitutional and
discriminates against poor children and African American children. This lead to more equity
which is what we are looking for in the Special Education field.
1968- The Architectural Barriers Act
This prohibited barriers in federally owned buildings and was another step to increasing
the rights of those who have disabilities.
1970- Diana v. State Board of Education
Ruled that children had to receive testing in the native language.
1971- PARC v. Penn
Was a landmark case that the federal court ruled that children with mental retardation had
a right to a free and appropriate public education.
1972- Mills v. Board of education of Washington D.C.
Extended the PARC v. Penn ruling. The Federal Court ruled that publicly funded services
such as special education must be provided as well as equitable funding.
1973- Rehabilitation Act
Was passed prohibiting the discrimination of individuals with disabilities in federally
funded programs. Added benefits recognized the need for accommodations for individuals with
disabilities.
1975- PL 94-142
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act which required schools to seek out,
identify, and provide appropriate services for all students with disabilities.
2004- IDEA
Mandates equity, accountability, and excellence for those in special education. This was a
revision of the IDEA passed in 1997 and is the one that we hold to to this day.
