In 1963, in a speech at an education conference, Education professor Samuel Kirk coined and defined the term "learning disabilities." His speech impacted social policies and provided a framework and language for this new academic field. Fifty years later, our Department of Special Education still leads the field. Today, on Dr. Kirk's birthday, we celebrate his legacy and the many students he's helped to learn despite their challenges. #SpecialEducation #SamuelKirk #SPED #GreatMinds #ThinkEdIllinois