Legislation

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated June 19, 2025
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NOTE:  I have assembled this list from online and offline resources.  If you know of a discrepancy on this page please contact me so I can amend the entry. Thank You!

​19th Century: Early Legislation and Foundations

1827 PL 19-8: First U.S. federal legislation related to people who are blind; provided land in Florida and Kentucky for facilities for individuals with disabilities.
1879 Act to Promote the Education of the Blind (P.L. 45-186): Authorized federal funds for the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) to provide accessible instructional materials to eligible students. Established the Federal Quota Program.
1906 P.L. 59-288: Modified the original 1879 act to enhance support for accessible materials.
1919 P.L. 66-24: Provided additional funding to APH.

​Early to Mid 20th Century: Growth of Rehabilitation and Access

1920  Smith-Fess Act (P.L. 66-236): First civilian vocational rehabilitation act. Authorized guidance and placement for persons with physical disabilities.
1931  Pratt-Smoot Act (P.L. 71-787): Funded the National Library Service for the Blind (NLS) to provide braille and audio books for adults who are blind.
1935  Social Security Act (P.L. 74-271): Made vocational rehabilitation a permanent federal-state program.
1936  Randolph-Sheppard Act (P.L. 74-732): Allowed individuals who are blind to operate vending facilities on federal property.
1938  Wagner-O'Day Act (P.L. 75-739): Required federal government to purchase designated products from agencies employing people who are blind.
1941  P.L. 77-270: Expanded franking privileges for sending braillewriters and reading materials for people who are blind.
1943  Barden-LaFollette Act (P.L. 78-113): Extended vocational rehabilitation to individuals with mental illness or intellectual disabilities; included support for individuals who are blind.
1949  P.L. 81-290: Equalized mailing rates for braillewriters regardless of the reason for mailing.
1954  P.L. 83-565: Expanded funding for rehabilitation training, services, and research.
1963  P.L. 88-164: Supported training personnel to work with children with disabilities.
1964  P.L. 88-164, Title II: Supported universities in preparing teachers for children with exceptional needs.
1965  P.L. 89-313: Amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to support children with disabilities in state-run programs.
1965  P.L. 89-333: Expanded rehabilitation services and removed economic need as a requirement.
1967  P.L. 90-99: Created the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults.
1968  Handicapped Children’s Early Education Assistance Act (P.L. 90-538): Funded early childhood programs.

​1970s: Building the Modern Framework

1971  Expanded Wagner-O'Day Act to include other disabilities.
1972  P.L. 92-318: Prohibited discrimination in education against people who are blind.
1973  Rehabilitation Act (P.L. 93-112): Section 504 prohibited discrimination based on disability in federally funded programs.
1974  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Protected student education records.
1975  Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142): Guaranteed FAPE for all students with disabilities, including visual impairments. Introduced IEPs and LRE principles.
1978  P.L. 95-602: Expanded services, created the Helen Keller Center, and emphasized independent living.

​1980s: Early Intervention and Tech Access

1982  Expanded Medicaid eligibility for children with disabilities.
1984  P.L. 98-221: Established Client Assistance Programs (CAP).
1986  P.L. 99-457: Mandated early intervention services for children with disabilities from birth to age 3 (Part H).
1986  P.L. 99-506: Added supported employment and rehabilitation engineering.
1988  Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (P.L. 100-407): Supported development of assistive tech programs.

​1990s: Rights and Technology Expansion

1990  Americans with Disabilities Act (P.L. 101-336): Prohibited discrimination in employment, transportation, public services, and telecommunications. Required accessible infrastructure and communication.
1990  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, P.L. 101-476): Renamed and strengthened EHA. Emphasized transition planning and mandated services to age 21.
1991  P.L. 102-52: Technical corrections to Rehabilitation Act.
1992  P.L. 102-569: Emphasized client choice, access, and accountability in VR services.
1993  P.L. 103-73: Amended the 1992 Act and clarified advisory roles.
1996  Telecommunications Act (Section 255): Required accessible phone services and devices.
1997  IDEA Reauthorization (P.L. 105-17): Required braille instruction unless deemed inappropriate; included O&M as a related service.
1998  Section 508 of Rehabilitation Act: Required federal electronic and IT systems to be accessible.

​2000s to Present: Digital Access, Literacy & Global Impact

2000  AFB National Literacy Center and ACVREP established to support literacy and certification of vision professionals.
2001  Bookshare launched to provide accessible digital books.
2004  IDEA Reauthorization: Reinforced the need for research-based instruction and accommodations.
2008  Higher Education Opportunity Act: Supported UDL and accessibility in postsecondary education.
2010  21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA): Required digital content and devices to be accessible.
2014  Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA): Improved VR and transition services for youth with disabilities.
2015  Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): Replaced No Child Left Behind, allowing alternate assessments and promoting inclusion.
2019  Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act: Enabled international sharing of accessible-format books.
​This evolving body of legislation ensures individuals who are blind or visually impaired have access to equitable education, meaningful employment, assistive technology, and full participation in community life. These laws continue to shape and support best practices in the field of visual impairments.

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