1. Before the Education for All Handicapped
Children Act was enacted in 1975, public
schools accommodated only 1 out of 5
children with disabilities. In 1953, 140 years
after New Albany’s historic founding, its
citizens gained an important resource. It
became home to the state’s first school for
children with developmental disabilities.
Leona Receveur, parent of a daughter with
a disability, rallied a group of parents to address this need.
Soon, classes began in the basement of Advent Christian
Church, taught by a volunteer teacher.
The school needed a bus, and
Mrs. Receveur approached the
newly-founded WHAS Crusade
for Children with a funding
request. Rabbi Joseph Rauch
saw something special in Mrs.
Receveur and her vision, and
soon the fledgling school had funds for its bus - and a new
friend.
The agency recognized Rabbi
Rauch’s support by taking his
name, first as the Joseph Rauch
School, later Rauch Rehabilita-
tion and Developmental Servic-
es, and now simply Rauch, Inc.
Rauch’s core population served is the same,
but services have grown dramatically. Today,
the agency serves individuals in our community
throughout their lifespan, including preschool,
summer camp, and early intervention therapies
for children with special needs; Healthy Fami-
lies new parent support program; sign language
and foreign lan-
guage interpret-
ing; and residential supports,
day programs, and job place-
ment and training for adults,
including at our workshop in
New Albany’s Industrial Park.
Rauch’s Mark
on New Albany History
Learn More • Donate • Get Involved
Rauch, Inc. • 845 Park Place • New Albany, IN 47150
812.945.4063 • rauchinc.org • facebook.com/rauchinc
Founded 1953
Celebrating
60 years
of service