Pre-1900: Before the twentieth century, people with disabilities were neglected, abused and killed. Churches began to care for people with disabilities about 1,000 years ago. This care included providing food and shelter.
1900-1970: Society began to recognize that students with disabilities needed special education. Students with visual or hearing disabilities continued to be served in special schools. A small number of students with learning disabilities began to receive services in public schools. Unfortunately, a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision allowed students to be excluded from public schools because of the negative impact they would have on non-disabled students.
Eugenics Movement: This movement had a negative impact on the rights of people with disabilities. The movement believed that disabilities were inherited traits. This led to the involuntary sterilization of thousands of individuals with disabilities in the United States. Hitler used the teaching as rationale for murdering approximately 80,000 people with disabilities in Germany. This movement ended in the early 1930's and basic care became the new focus.
1960 to present: The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's was one of the most important factors in the recognition that individuals with disabilities needed equal opportunities and education. Legislation, litigation, and the advocacy movement worked together to change the treatment of people with disabilities and how they are educated.
(Smith, 2016)
1900-1970: Society began to recognize that students with disabilities needed special education. Students with visual or hearing disabilities continued to be served in special schools. A small number of students with learning disabilities began to receive services in public schools. Unfortunately, a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision allowed students to be excluded from public schools because of the negative impact they would have on non-disabled students.
Eugenics Movement: This movement had a negative impact on the rights of people with disabilities. The movement believed that disabilities were inherited traits. This led to the involuntary sterilization of thousands of individuals with disabilities in the United States. Hitler used the teaching as rationale for murdering approximately 80,000 people with disabilities in Germany. This movement ended in the early 1930's and basic care became the new focus.
1960 to present: The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's was one of the most important factors in the recognition that individuals with disabilities needed equal opportunities and education. Legislation, litigation, and the advocacy movement worked together to change the treatment of people with disabilities and how they are educated.
(Smith, 2016)