13th Century

During the Middle Ages, people believed that any sign of physical or cognitive disabilities was linked to being evil, possessed by the devil, born from sinners or considered sinners themselves (AuCoin & Calder Stegemann, 2018).

Christians believed that children who were born with disabilities were a manifestation of demonic powers (AuCoin & Clader Stegemann, 2018).

Individuals with disabilities were excluded completely from society and often ignored and forgotten about (Andrews & Brown, 2012).

18th Century

People wanted to become more knowledgable on explaining human differences (AuCoin & Calder Stegemann, 2018).

In 1880, classes were created for struggling learners and new immigrants. (AuCoin & Calder Stegemenn, 2018)

20th Century

Segregated classes and institutions were created for students who scored low on the Binet-Simon Scale (AuCoin & Calder Stegemann, 2018). This required testing lead to students being excluded from the 'normal' education system.

20th Century

In the early 1900s, a new philosophy was introduced called Darwinism. It stated that the human race could be perfected by eliminating those with disabilities (AuCoin & Calder Stegemann, 2018).

20th Century

After Darwinism, the Eugenics Movement created high levels of institutionalization (Andrews & Brown, 2012).

20th Century

Scandinavian countries introduced the Normalization Principle in their education systems. It aims to have everyone living as 'respected and valued members of their cultural group, having access to all privileges and services' (AuCoin & Stegemann, 2018). 

1954-1968

Although the Civil rights movement focused on the eliminating the segregation of Black Americans, it helped increase 'the recognition and respect for human dignity for individuals of minority status', including those with disabilities (AuCoin & Stegemann, 2018).

20th Century

Before 1970, Canadians sae individuals with disabilities as not being able to contribute to society, dependent and not given the same rights and responsibilities as people without disabilities. After, citizens with exceptionalities began to fight back for their basic human rights (ARCH, 2013).

20th Century

In 1975, Individualized Education Plans (IEP) were introduced. This ensured that educational plans were developed and implemented for those in a special education setting in a fair way. 

1975

In 1975, the United States of America passed a public law to ensure that all students no matter their ability or disability recieved appropriate and free education (AuCoin & Calder Stegemann, 2018). Changes to this law have been made over the years, but it is now known as the Individuals with Disability Education Act or IDEA. 

1982

In 1982, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guaranteed the rights of disabled individuals at a constitutional level. This made Canada the first country to do something like this (AuCoin & Calder Stegemann, 2018). 

20th Century

This was the year the first proposition of merging the two education systems to meet the needs of all students occurred. This is when inclusive education began (AuCoin & Calder Stegemann, 2018).

1985

Physical and mental ability was added to the Equality Rights in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Provincial and territorial legislation organizes education programs but the Charter is above all (AuCoin & Stegemann, 2018). 

1994

In 1994, a world conference was held in Salamanca, Spain. This was called the World Conference on Special Needs Education and was held by UNESCO and the Ministry of Education and Science of Spain. The conference lead to 92 worldwide governments signing the Salamanca Accord which had them agree to give all children free and public education no matter their gender, ethnicity or disability (AuCoin & Calder Stegeman, 2018).

2012

In British Columbia, a court case lead to the Supreme Court stating that all school districts must accommodate students by providing special education resources to confirm that those with disabilities are able to participate in the same education programs as all students (AuCoin & Stegemann, 2018). 

2010

In 2010, the UN held the ‘Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’. Canada then committed to use the rights studied at the convention. These included

• Equal rights and no discrimination

• Actions to take to ensure no discrimination

• All rights need to be shown everywhere in Canada (work, school, home, etc)

• Monitored by Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

(Government of Canada, 2017)​

Education is always evolving and the distinction between general and special education is beginning to blur with inclusive education! (AuCoin & Stegemann, 2018). In 2015, UNESCO held a convention called The World Education Forum in Incheon, The Rebulic or Korea in May 2015. The convention attempted to lay out a plan for education for the next 15 years, focusing greatly on inclusive education and equal rights to all. For more information: