The first half of 2008 has seen two states pass Disability History Week/Month legislation, a historic step in educating youth about disabilities and the disability rights movement. In…
NY Initiative
2007 Resolution
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.
2008
Resolution
As part of the New York State Assembly’s Disability Awareness Day held in May 2008, a resolution commemorating New York State Disability History Week was passed in June 2008, earmarking the third week in Ocober 2008 as Disability History Week.
Bill
In May 2008, two companion bills, A10801 and S8160, were introduced by Assemblymember Mark Schroeder and Senator Joe Rosbach in the New York State Assembly and Senate, respectively. However, they were still in committee when the 2008 legislative session ended. Despite this setback, the bills recieved enormous support in the form of letters, memos and petitions.
Future Plans
New York State advocates will continue to build support for the NYS Disability History Week initiative and resubmit a bill in the 2009 legislative session in Albany. Advocates plan on meeting with key legislative and educational leaders to further discuss the legislation, with the overall goal of passing a bill which will serve to bring disability history instruction to NYS schools!
Supporters of the NYS Disability History Week initiative:
- Aspire of WNY
- Autistic Services, Inc.
- Baker Victory Services
- Cantalician Center for Learning, Inc.
- Center for Human Services Education
- Commission on Citizens’ Rights & Community Relations-City of Buffalo
- Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled
- Compass House
- DDAWNY
- Early Childhood Direction Center, Western Region
- Epilepsy Association of WNY. Inc.
- Erie County Department of Social Services
- Genesee County Chapter NYSARC
- Grace Community Services
- Gustavus Adolphus Family Services
- Headway of WNY, Inc.
- Heritage Centers
- Hillside Children’s Center
- Lifetime Assistance, Inc.
- Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc.
- Museum of disABILITY History
- National Federation for Just Communities of WNY Inc.
- Niagara County Aktion Club (Lewiston Kiwanis site)
- NYSACRA
- NYS Disabilities Advocacy Association and Network
- The Parent Network of WNY
- Parent to Parent of NYS
- Pathways, Inc.
- People Inc.
- Rivershore, Inc.
- Self Advocacy Association of NYS
- SKIP of NY, Inc.
- Southeast Works
- Suburban Adult Services, Inc.
- United Voices for Change
- Western New York DDSO
- Western New York Independent Living, Inc.
For more information on the NYS Disability History Week initiative, please contact:
Karen Lazik
People Inc./Museum of disABILITY History
280 Spindrift Drive
Williamsville, NY 14221
Phone (716) 817-9015
E-mail: klazik@people-inc.org
You may also sign-on as a Disability History Week supporter: