Module 1: History of Disability
History Timeline
To help understand how people with disabilities have been treated in western society, historical events have been divided into eight themes. These themes still influence how students with disabilities are supported in British Columbia today.
The themes collectively provide understanding on three important points:
- Persons with disabilities have been historically isolated, excluded, devalued, and removed from society
- In many cases compassion and good intentions created services that became abusive and dehumanizing
- We need to provide services that include, respect, and value people with disabilities rather than repeat exclusionary practices of the past
Take some time to explore the interactive timeline and consider the themes. You can return to the timeline at any time during the course from the main navigation at the top of every page.
Themes
Explore the historical points within each theme below. In many cases reference and resource links are provided for a deeper look.
Complete Timeline
Historical points may be relevant to more than one theme as there is always influence, interplay, and overlap between historical events. A complete timeline of all events is included for context. Please explore each theme above for full appreciation of how events have influenced our treatment of students with disabilities.
Once you have explored the timeline of disability, reflect again on the statement by George Santayana: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Ask yourself, moving forward, how can I do better?