1815-1817- Formal Deaf Education Began in the United States.

Thomas H Gallaudet left the U.S to go to Europe to teach people who were deaf.

The first permanent school for the deaf in America began in Connecticut in April 15, 1817.

This marked the first efforts to educate people with disabilities

1829- Louis Braille invents the raised point alphabet.

It would take the United States almost 30 years later to ti incorporate the invention at the St. Louis
school for the Blind in 1860.

1855- The first facility for the criminally insane : the facility would house convicts who were mentally
insane, instead of being placed in a hospital or prison.

1860- Identified Cerebral Palsy-William Little makes first attempt and research to identify (CP) . He
believed that CP and Spastic Displegia is due to lack of oxygen during birth.

1861-1865- American Civil War -The war resulted in 30,000 amputations in the Union Army and began
the issues related to disability in the U.S.

1872- Bell invents the telephone for the deaf: Alexander Bell not only invented a telephone to help make
speech more visible but he opens up a school for speech for deaf teachers in Boston.
1918-1920- Funding for Rehabilitation- First vocational rehabilitation for soldiers who were wounded
from WWI and congress would fund a program for job counseling and vocational training for people who
had disabilities.

1932- March of Dimes was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. President Roosevelt had
contracted Polio which later paralyzed him known as paralysis ( infantile).

1935- Signing of Social Security Act; President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act that would
establish a permanent program in assisting adults with disabilities.

1950- Barrier Free Standards: This movement began to help push a barrier free building and access to
the buildings.

1961- First Accessibility Standard Published: The Americans Standards Association ( ANSI) published its
first accessibility title "Making Buildings Accessible to an Usable by the Physically Handicapped."

In return 49 states adapt accessibility by 1973

1962-Ed Roberts Fights for Admissions to University : Ed Roberts was a young man who had polio and
had enrolled in the University of California, shortly after enrolling he was rejected, he fought to have that
decision overturned. He eventually became famous and known as the father of the Independent Living
Movement and helped established the first CIL center( Center for Independent Living).

1964- Civil Rights Act Passed:This act put an end to African American and Women discrimination but it
did not change the way that people with disabilities would be treated and many of them would still be
denied access to jobs and opportunities based on their disability.
1950- ARC Founded: To provide resources and advocacy of children who were diagnosed with mental
retardation and provides opportunities to support the children and their families to live normal lives with
support.

1962-1968- Special Olympics: Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded the Special Olympics in 1962- that
provided athletic training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities . The first international
23 sport led events was introduced in Chicago, Illinois in 1968.

1965- Title XIX (19)- Medicaid helps low income and disabled - helps pay medical cost for certain people
who have disabilities and those families that are low-income.

1968- ACT requires Accessible Buildings: The Architectural Barriers Act pf 1968 mandated the removal of
any perceived barrier or obstacle to employment or the physical design of buildings and facilities on the
job. It mandated that these buildings be accessible that are designed, constructed, altered or lease with
federal funding.

1973- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation ACT of 1973- makes it illegal for federal agencies, public
universities and other public businesses that receives any federal funds to discriminate on the basis of
disability.

1983- ADAPT - American with Disabilities for Accessible Public Transportation- Began to help provide
campaigns that would support lifts on buses and access to public transit for people with disabilities.

1975-IDEA- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act:guarantees a free, appropriate, public education
for all children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.

1988- The Fair Housing Amendments Act- requires that a certain number of accessible housing units be
created in all new multi-family housing. The act covers both public and private homes.

1986- Air Carriers Can't Discriminate Against Disabled:The Air Carriers Act prohibits discrimination
against domestic and foreign air carriers against individuals who are physically or mentally disabled.
1990- The Americans with Disabilities Act - (ADA)- signed into law by President George Bush (H.W) and
it's "founding father" Justin Dart; that is considered one of the most important civil rights laws as it
specifically designed to bring the different advocates and supporters of the disability movement
together,

2006- History of Disability Rights Enters Curricula: this bill required that students K-12 public school
systems are to be taught the history of disability right movement.