Disability History Week In New York State

Working with New York State Assemblyman Mark Schroeder of Buffalo, representatives from People Inc. and its Museum of disABILITY History helped establish the third week in October (October 15-19, 2007) as the first-ever "Disability History Week" in New York State. The resolution officially designating "Disability History Week" was passed by the New York State Legislature in June 2007 and encourages schools to present lessons to their students regarding this subject during the third week of October. It is important that our youth understand disability history in order to better understand how individuals with disabilities were once viewed and treated.

New York is one of four states officially taking this important step in promoting further understanding and awareness of disability history and the disability rights movement by designating a week to acknowledge the role and contributions of individuals with disabilities in society. States will require or encourage their schools to infuse instruction and activities related to disability history into the existing school curriculum.

During New York State´s "Disability History Week," October 15-19, 2007, teachers have the opportunity to help their students learn how people with disabilities were instrumental in changing history and how they became active participants in changing societal attitudes about their needs, desires, capabilities, and rights.

In conjunction with New York State´s Disability History Week, the Museum of disABILITY History is developing a school curriculum focusing on disability history. This project was funded by a grant from the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, and by People Inc. and the Museum of disABILITY History.

The curriculum is currently being tested in six school districts in Western New York. For the initial phase, two curricula were developed for grades 4-5 and 6-8. It is based on the "Kids Vote" format and is tied directly to the virtual exhibits found on the Museum´s website. The "Disability History" curriculum includes lesson plans and activities that are all tied to New York State Learning Standards. "Disability History Week" provides an opportunity to help students learn about the history of individuals with disabilities and help create an environment of understanding and acceptance.

For further information about the curriculum project, please call the Museum of disABILITY History at (716) 817-7261.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Eliot Spitzer to proclaim the third week in October of 2007 as Disability History Week in the State of New York.

WHEREAS, According to the US Census, in 2002, New York State had a total population of 18,976,457 persons, of which 6,406,530 are people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The National Center for Education Statistics reported that in 2004 the K-12 education system in New York State included 442,665 students with disabilities, or approximately 16% of the student body; and

WHEREAS, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is founded on four principles: inclusion, full participation, economic self-sufficiency and equality of opportunity for all people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, To ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities into society, it is necessary to expand the public´s knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the history of disabilities and the disability rights movement; and

WHEREAS, New York State has always been and continues to be at the forefront of recognizing people of different races, religions, and abilities; in 1945, New York was the first state to enact an anti-discrimination law; in 1968, under the Human Rights Law, the State Division of Human Rights was created; and

WHEREAS, A key method of promoting such understanding is for the public schools to provide instruction in disability history, people with disabilities , and the disability rights movement, through the school curriculum, school assemblies, and other school activities; and

WHEREAS, It is desirable that state postsecondary institutions promote activities that provide education, awareness, and understanding regarding people with disabilities, and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body also encourages cooperation between educational institutions and community-based organizations as a way to promote better treatment and fairer hiring practices for people with disabilities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Eliot Spitzer to proclaim the third week in October of 2007 as Disability History Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Eliot Spitzer, Governor of the State of New York, and People Inc. Museum of disABILITY History.

Adopted in the NYS Senate and Assembly, June 2007

NATIONAL INITIATIVES FOR DISABILITY HISTORY WEEK

For information on the Disability History Week legislative initiatives underway on a national level, please visit the new Disability History Week website: www.disabilityhistoryweek.org

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