Disability History Week

NY Initiative

2007, 2008 and 2009 Resolutions

In New York State, representatives from People Inc. and the Museum of disABILITY History worked with Assemblymember Mark Schroeder of Buffalo in proposing legislation establishing the third week in October as Disability History Week. Assemblymember Schroeder’s resolution was passed in the New York State Assembly. Senator Joe Robach of Rochester sponsored the legislation in the NYS Senate where it passed on June 19, 2007, marking New York’s first designated Disability History Week. Resolutions were subsequently passed during the 2008 and 2009 legislative sessions. 

2010 Legislation

In April 2010, Assemblymember Schroeder introduced two pieces of Disability History legislation. A.10852 and A.10853, respectively relating to disability history instruction in NYS schools and to the permanent designation of a Disability History Week. On May 17,2010 an amended version of the bill (A.10853A) declaring October 18th as Disabilities History Day passed in the Assembly. Senate companion bills were subsequently introduced by Senator Stachowski from WNY. S.7930 related to disability history instruction & was referred to the Education Committee. S.7931 served to designate October 18th as Disabilities History Day and was passed in the Senate on June 10, 2010. The Disabilities History Day bill was signed into law by Governor David Paterson on July 21, 2010! Supporters are planning on reintroducing legislation bringing disability history instruction to NYS schools in the 2011 session.

Celebrate NYS Disability History Week October 17-23, 2010 !

Supporters of the NYS Disability History Week initiative:

• Action Toward Independence, Inc.
• AHRC New York City
• Arc of Steuben
• ARISE Coalition
• Aspire of WNY
• Autistic Services, Inc.
• Baker Victory Services
• Cantalician Center for Learning, Inc.
• Capital City Advocates
• Center for the Independence of the Disabled-NYC
• Coalition of Families for Direct Support Staff in services for People with DD
• Commission on Citizens’ Rights & Community Relations-City of Buffalo
• Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled
• Compass House
• Contact Community Services
• DDAWNY
• Early Childhood Direction Center, Western Region
• Epilepsy Association of WNY. Inc.
• Erie County Department of Social Services
• Erie County Office for the Disabled
• Genesee County Chapter NYSARC
• Grace Community Services
• Gustavus Adolphus Family Services
• Headway of WNY, Inc.
• Heritage Centers
• Hillside Children’s Center
• Independent Living of Niagara County
• JobPath NYC
• Lifetime Assistance, Inc.
• Living Resources Corp.
• Long Island Center for Independent Living 
• Long Island Families Together
• Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc.
• Manhattan DD Council
• Mental Health Association Onondaga County
• Museum of disABILITY History
• National Federation for Just Communities of WNY Inc.
• Niagara County Aktion Club (Lewiston Kiwanis site)
• NY Association on Independent Living
• NY MS Coalition Action Network
• NYSACRA
• NYSARC, Inc.
• NYS Disabilities Advocacy Association and Network
• NYSRA
• The Parent Network of WNY
• Parents for Inclusive Education
• Parent to Parent of NYS
• Pathways, Inc.
• People Inc.
• Rivershore, Inc.
• Self Advocacy Association of NYS
• SKIP of NY, Inc.
• Southeast Works
• Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council
• Suburban Adult Services, Inc.
• The Arc of Monroe County
• United Cerebral Palsy Nassau County
• United Voices for Change
• Westchester Arc
• Western New York DDSO
• Western New York Healthcare Association
• Western New York Independent Living, Inc.
• Yad B’Yad
• YAI Network

For more information on the NYS Disability History Week initiative, please contact:

Catherine Herrick
People Inc./Museum of disABILITY History
280 Spindrift Drive
Williamsville, NY 14221
Phone (716) 817-9291
E-mail: cherrick@people-inc.org

You may also sign-on as a Disability History Week supporter: