50 Years - Opening Doors, Transforming Lives
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Timeline
How quickly the world has changed for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 50 years. Families, community organizations, researchers, clinicians, staff, students, educators, public policy makers - all have worked together to create change. We will create an even better future together over the next 50 years. The VKC Timeline places VKC milestones within the context of the national disabilities rights movement.
View list of center directors
1970s
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1975 — Public Law 94-142 Education of All Handicapped Children Act was passed by Congress; it is extended today as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.
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July 1979 — Peabody College merged with Vanderbilt University, making possible expansion of the Center’s interdisciplinary research, in particular neuroscience research.
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Blue text = federal legislative landmarks