Disability advocates across the country are mobilizing to help create understanding and celebrate the history of individuals with disabilities! Since West Virginia passed the first…
Legislation
New York State:
In New York State, representatives from People Inc. and the Museum of disABILITY History worked with NYS Assemblymember Mark Schroeder of Buffalo, who proposed a resolution establishing the third week of October as Disability History Week. Assemblymember Schroeder’s resolution was passed in the New York State Assembly. Senator Joe Robach of Rochester sponsored the resolution in the NYS Senate where it passed in June 2007. Assemblymember Schroeder and Lieutenant Governor (current Governor) David Paterson participated in a signing ceremony held outside the Museum of disABILITY History on October 18th, 2007, which marked New York State’s first-ever Disability History Week.
In April 2010, Assemblymember Mark Schroeder introduced bills A10852 and A10853 relating to disability history instruction and the permanent designation of a Disability History Week (respectively). On May 17, 2010, during the Assembly’s annual Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day, an amended version of the bill (10853A) declaring October 18th as Disabilities History Day was passed with a unanimous vote of approval. Senator Stachowski subsequently introduced two companion bills (S7930 & S7931) in the NYS Senate. S7931, declaring October 18th as Disabilities History Day, was passed June 10th and was signed into law by Governor David Paterson on July 21, 2010! Despite the official designation of a day, supporters will continue celebrating Disability History Week during the third full week in October.
In the 2011 legislative session, curriculum bills were introduced in the NYS Senate and the Assembly by Senator Mark Grisanti and Assemblymember Mark Schroeder. Both bills aim to promote greater awareness and understanding of people with disabilities by amending current NYS Education Law 801 (Chapter 265 of the Laws of 2000) to make available to all students grades kindergarten through twelve suitable curriculum materials to aid in the instruction, understanding and acceptance of students with disabilities. The bills remained in committee when the 2011 session ended.
As the 2012 legislative session commenced, S2352 was placed on the Senate Education and Finance Committees’ agenda, was reviewed and with much support was successfully passed! The companion bill, A8466, sponsored by Michael Cusick, remains in the Assembly Education Committee.
California:
The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, “Youth Organizing! Disabled and Proud” program launched a Disability History Week campaign in 2009 and gathered signatures in support of the campaign.
On April 19, 2010, ACR162 was introduced in the California Assembly by Assemblymember Beall, and was subsequently introduced in the Senate. This resolution aims to establish the second week in October as Disability History Week, and encourages public and private institutions of higher education, state and local agencies, nonprofit and community organizations and private businesses to observe the week by dedicating appropriate classroom instructional time or by coordinating all-inclusive activities to be conducted to afford opportunities for students and the general public to learn more about the disability community and to celebrate its role in contemporary American society. The resolution was passed unanimously by both the Assembly and Senate shortly after July 26th 2010, the 20th Anniversary of the ADA! The second week in October is now California’s official Disability History Week thanks to all the Youth! Organizing Disabled and Proud members and all the other supporters of the initiative!
Colorado:
The Colorado Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) approved a motion to seek a joint resolution by the legislature to establish a Disability History Week in the State of Colorado. With support from other leaders in the disability communtiy, the SILC worked with legislators to introduce a joint resolution which passed both chambers in May 2009. The resolution has been signed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. Next on the agenda is the development of a strategy for implementation.
Connecticut:
The Connecticut Youth Leadership Project composed a resolution to establish a Disability Education Awareness Week for the 2007 legislative session. Contact was made with the Lt. Governor and a number of state legislators who expressed support for the project. Representative Andrew Fleischmann, Chairman of the Connecticut General Assembly’s Education Committee, sponsored the bill. After it was introduced, it was decided to include the disability week language within the context of House Bill 7144 (An Act Establishing a Board of Education and Services for Citizens with Autism Spectrum Disorders and an Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission and Concerning Persons with Disabilities) which would require the Governor to “proclaim the first week in October of each year as Disability Awareness Week in order to promote disability awareness, foster inclusion of people with disabilities and increase knowledge of the history of the disability civil rights movement.” However, this bill did not pass in the House and therefore did not become law.
Delaware:
The Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens (GACEC) expressed an interest in a Disability History Month resolution, and appointed a committee to promote related legislation during the 2009 legislative session. Their efforts resulted in the introduction and passage of House Concurrent Resolution 19 on June 10, 2009, sponsored by Representative Quinton Johnson and Senator Bethany Hall-Long. The resolution proclaims the month of October to be Disability History Month and encourages the integration of disability history into the state education curriculum.
In the 2011 legislative session, supporters introduced House Bill 123, an Act to Amend Title 1 of the Delaware Code, which passed unanimously in both the house and senate. This legislation, encouraging public schools to offer instruction and events highlighting disability history during the month of October, was signed into law by Governor Jack Markell on August 17, 2011!
Florida:
The Florida Youth Council advocated for the establishment of two separate weeks (October 1-15) to be recognized as Disability History and Awareness Weeks in Florida public schools. This initiative began when representatives from the Florida Youth Council took their efforts to the 2006 Family Café Conference in Orlando where they met with Governor Jeb Bush. A resolution was subsequently prepared by Senator Mike Fasano’s office and passed by the Florida Senate in 2007.
In 2008, Senator Mike Fasano and House Representative Curtis Richardson introduced companion bills in the Florida House and Senate. House Bill 91/Senate Bill 856 was passed and signed into law by Governor Crist on June 13, 2008. The Youth Council was supported by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council and the National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth.
Idaho:
The Idaho State Independent Living Council (SILC) identified the establishment of a Disability History Month as one of their 2007 legislative priorities. They subsequently proposed legislation encouraging Idaho schools to provide instruction on disability history, the independent living movement and disability rights during the month of October. The resolution was passed in March 2007 and went into effect shortly thereafter.
Illinois:
For the first time in Illinois history, its proud citizens with disabilities crafted an official bill that included the implementation of a four-week Disability History and Awareness campaign in Illinois public K-12 schools, and in-state colleges and universities. Illinois Disability History and Awareness legislation is intended to increase students’ consciousness of the civil and human rights, accomplishments, gifts and talents, and respectful treatment of people with disabilities (including their fellow classmates). To garner support, self-advocates from Illinois Voices spoke with Elizabeth Hanselman of the Illinois State Board of Education, who gave her wholehearted endorsement and helpful strategy tips to get the bill passed in Illinois. HB4537 was introduced and passed in the House in April 2008. However the bill was not passed in the Senate. In 2009, Illinois Voices renewed their efforts and House Bill 1035 was introduced 2/11/09 by Rep. Robert F. Flider and passed in both houses 5/13/09. The bill was signed by Governor Quinn on August 10, 2009 as Public Act 96-0191 and became state law.
Iowa:
Representatives from Self-Advocacy and Leadership for Youth with Disabilities worked diligently to promote a Disability History Week in Iowa. Their efforts led to the introduction of a resolution designating the third week in October as Disability History Week (introduced by State Senator David Hartsuch). The Senate passed the resolution in April 2007. Governor Chet Culver signed the Disability History Week proclamation during a ceremony on August 9, 2007, which coincided with the Road to Freedom tour stop.
Kansas:
Representatives and self-advocates from the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy spearheaded an effort in the 2009 legislative session to have disability history legislation passed in their state. While Senate Bill 162 did not pass in the Kansas House, a Disability History and Awareness bill was attached to Senate Bill 41, which passed in both houses of the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Mark Parkinson on May 21, 2009. The Kansas Board of Education is planning on designating a period of time for observance and developing activities and guidelines for curriculum.
Kentucky:
Senator Julie Denton introduced Senate Joint Resolution 104 on February 7, 2008. This resolution served to designate the first full week in October as Disability History Week and would require Kentucky schools to provide instruction minimally during this week. The resolution was passed by the Senate in March 2008 and referred to the House Education Committee where it remained when the legislative session ended.
Maryland:
The Dandy-Walker Alliance, Inc. coordinated an initiative to establish the month of October as ‘Disability History and Awareness Month’ and to incorporate disability history and awareness instruction into the standard curriculum in Maryland’s public schools. House Bill 281 was introduced in January 2009 by Delegate Justin Ross. Despite a tremendous show of support, the bill was not passed. However, advocates were ultimately successful in establishing a Disability History and Awareness Month. At a celebration marking the 19th anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act, Governor Martin O’Malley signed Executive Order 01.01.2009.10 marking October as Disability History and Awareness Month in Maryland.
Massachusetts:
In 2009, the a group of youth advocates from Easter Seals of Massachusetts and the Boston Center for Independent Living known as Act Today Influence Tomorrow initiated efforts to designate October as Disability History and Awareness Month. Senate Act 1469 calls for the Governor to issue an annual Disability History Month proclamation during October and for agencies and schools to establish programs for disability history education. The act was introduced in January 2009, and due to a tremendous show of support, it was passed by both houses and sent to Governor Patrick for his signature on August 20, 2009.
Michigan:
Alumni of the State Youth Leadership Forum are beginning to develop an effort to bring Disability History and Awareness weeks to their state. Under advisement from potential sponsors, they have decided to wait for the next session to proceed with crafting language, and will use the time in between to build stronger coalition.
Missouri:
In 2008, representatives from the Missouri SILC and the Governor’s Council on Disability spearheaded an initiative to designate October as Disability History and Awareness Month in the State of Missouri. Their efforts were rewarded in 2011 with the passage of HB 555 Section 162.946. Rep. Jeff Grisamore was the sponsor of the bill and was able to obtain passage on the House side. The bill subsequently passed on the Senate side with only five minutes left to the session! Missouri is currently developing resources for educators to use in their school districts.
Montana:
Representatives from the Montana Youth Leadership Forum are currently working on a bill to establish a Disability History Week in the State of Montana. A draft bill has been shared with the Governor’s office, which is providing assistance in securing a sponsor. The proposed legislation is being modeled after West Virginia’s HB 4491 and designates the third week in October as Disability History Week. This initiative has been endorsed by the Statewide Independent Living Council’s Youth Task Force.
New Jersey:
In New Jersey, a grassroots youth movement led by Lead Mentors of Pathways for Exceptional Children began in July 2008 to introduce disability history instruction across the state. They subsequently sent their legislative proposal to Senator Daniel Sweeney. On February 23, 2009 Senator Loretta Weinberg and Senator Jim Whelan sponsored Senate Joint Resolution No. 70 in the State of New Jersey’s 213th Legislature proclaiming that “Disability History and Awareness Month” be designated in October of each year. The resolution requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the state to observe the month with the appropriate activities and programs. The resolution also urges the Commissioner of Education to develop curriculum guidelines for teaching of subjects and topics concerning and relating to disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement for each school district in the state and to encourage their adoption by such districts. AJR 103/SJR 70 was approved by the State Assembly, but has not yet been voted on by the State Senate. The New Jersey Department of Education also made revisions to the core curriculum content standards (NJCCCS) that were available for public review and comment in January 2009. The revisions of NJCCCS include specific emphasis on disability awareness and the history of the disability rights movement. It is anticipated that the NJCCCS will be adopted by the State Board of Education by the end of the 2008-2009 school year.
North Carolina:
The North Carolina Youth Leadership Network spearheaded an effort to establish the month of October as Disability History and Awareness Month. In March 2007, proposed legislation was filed in the North Carolina House of Representatives (sponsored by Representative Verla Insko) and the Senate (sponsored by Senator William R. Purcell). The bill was passed in the Senate in early May and the House of Representatives in July. The Youth Leadership Network formed a partnership with the Alliance of Disability Advocates Center for Independent Living. With the support of the disability community and other important allies including the North Carolina Parent Teachers Association, they had the necessary political support to pass the bill.
Pennsylvania:
The Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network and the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council are supportive of an effort to establish a Disability History Week in the State of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network is currently in the process of reviewing other states’ versions of the legislation and developing a strategy.
Rhode Island:
Representatives from the Rhode Island Statewide Independent Living Council met with a state representative who agreed to draft and sponsor a Disability History Week resolution in the House of Representatives in the 2008 legislative session. In addition, they contacted a state senator to discuss introducing the resolution in the Senate. The resolution was subsequently introduced and passed in both the House and the Senate in June 2008. Supporters are hoping to use this success to introduce a bill in 2009 that will establish a statewide Disability History Week.
Vermont:
In 2009, representatives from the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights led an effort to establish a Disability History Week in their state. Subsequently, House Resolution 17 and Senate Resolution 12 were introduced in late April 2009 with an overwhelming amount of support and sponsorship. These resolutions, which designate the third week of October to be Disability History Week, were passed in both houses on April 30, 2009.
Virginia:
A group of alumni from the Youth Leadership Forum worked on a joint resolution to establish a Disability History and Awareness Month, which was subsequently introduced and passed in February 2009 by the VA General Assembly. October is now officially Disability History and Awareness Month in the State of Virginia. The alumni from the Youth Leadership Forum and Partners in Policymaking will be working with the Virginia Department of Education to develop resources and expand existing curriculum models to include disability history.
Washington State:
In 2007, Disability Rights Washington and People First of Washington partnered to do the Self-Advocacy in Motion Project, which builds advocacy and leadership clubs for youth with disabilities in high schools and transition programs. In August 2007, youth from the Self-Advocacy in Motion Project met with Senator McAuliffe and asked her to sponsor a Disability History Month bill, similar to the one that was passed in West Virginia. The Senator agreed to sponsor this legislation. Several advocacy groups and Washington State agencies also enlisted their support, including the Self-Advocates in Leadership Coalition (SAIL), Self-Advocates of Washington (SAW), the State Special Education Coalition, the Governor’s Committee on Disability and Employment Issues, the Arc of Washington and the Developmental Disabilities Council.
Senate Bill 6313 passed both houses and was signed into law on March 26, 2008.
West Virginia:
West Virginia was the first state to pass a bill establishing a Disability History Week. House Bill 4491 was passed by the Senate on March 8, 2006 and signed by Governor Joe Manchin on April 3, 2006. As a result, the third week in October is now designated as Disability History Week in West Virginia, and public schools are required to provide instruction on disability history and disability rights. This initiative was led by the 2005 Youth Disability Caucus, and supported by the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (WVSILC).