#today in deaf history

Today in Deaf History: The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was signed into law.

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA), also known as Public Law 94-142 or the Mainstreaming Law,  defined the term least restrictive environment where children receive education alongside each other regardless of their disability. It required the states to provide a free and appropriate public education for children with disabilities between the ages of 5 and 18. Schools are now obligated to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities and provide educational opportunities for them in the least restrictive environment. It was signed into law November 30, 1975 by President Gerald Ford.

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EAHCA Act

Today in Deaf History: IDEA was signed into law

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) also known as Public Law 101-476, IDEA was intended to replace the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) of 1975. It established “people first language” and extended special education services to include social work, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services. It also extended provisions for due process and confidentiality for students  and added the categories of autism and traumatic brain injury. It also required states to provide bilingual education programs for students with disabilities and to educate students with disabilities for transition to employment. It was signed into law October 30, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush.

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IDEA Act

Today in Deaf History: Julius Wiggins passed away in the year 2001.

Julius Wiggins was the creator of the first newspaper for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, The Silent News.

Born in Toronto, Canada, and attending the Bellville School for the Deaf in Ontario, Wiggins later transferred to a vocational school for tailoring. At age 20, he moved to Manhattan to further his skills in fur and the fur business and was very successful until the fur industry plummeted leaving him unemployed. Afterwards, he worked for a postal office. His career path changed on a family trip. On the family vacation, he saw a sign that said, “Who, What, Where, and Why.” That inspired him with ideas for the future of the deaf community. He was able to get 10 of his closest deaf friends together to organize and fund a paper company geared towards the deaf and hard of hearing community that would soon be known as Silent News. Each invested $250.00 into the company. Soon after, Silent News was born in January 1969. Each issue was 15 cents. His family played a vital role in the production of the newspaper in the first year. The headquarters for the newspaper were in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. Wiggins held a huge role in connecting the deaf community and allowing them to be aware of upcoming events and news. The newspaper brought national and international news, latest technology, health and sports, and stories about successful and up in coming deaf people. Later he wrote an autobiography called No Sound, published in 1972, which recounted in depth about many hardships he encountered with hearing individuals and the oppression he felt throughout his life (Trudy). Silent News has left an everlasting footprint for the future of the deaf community. In the 1990s due to his failing health the newspaper was sold to Adele Wiggins. Soon after he died in October 13, 2001.

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Julius Wiggins