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 Disability History Week bill in 2006, fourteen states have also passed similar legislation, earmarking time dedicated to the celebration of disability history and awareness. Now is the time to take this to the national level! The Museum of disABILITY History is advocating for the establishment of a National Disability History Week to be celebrated the third full week in October. National organizations have held or are holding discussions in support of this initiative including the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID). A National Disability History Week will provide an invaluable opportunity to promote an understanding and acceptance that individuals with disabilities are PEOPLE first, not to be defined by their disability, and most importantly to include this important piece of our nation's history in public school curricula.

A third grade class at Riverside Elementary School has been collaborating with the Catskill Center for Independence in finding ways to promote disability awareness in their school. This year, the class decided it was important to support the bills currently in session in the NYS Senate and Assembly which aim to amend NYS education law to include disability history instruction in schools.  See video.

The Museum of disABILITY History is pleased to announce that lesson plans as well as supplemental information are now available! These can be found through the Teacher Resources section of the Museum's website located at:

http://www.museumofdisability.org/teachers_resources.asp

The curriculum was developed with the generous support of the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation.

Please join in the celebration of NYS Disability History Week October 19th-25th. This is New York's second annual celebration of disability history.  Other states are holding similar celebrations during the month of October, including West Virginia, North Carolina, Washington, Florida, Iowa, Idaho and Rhode Island.  Consider hosting your own event including a film festival, speaker series or reception with photos highlighting your group's history. For information on disability history visit the virtual Museum of disABILITY History at http://museumofdisability.org.

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 Washington State, the Self-Advocacy in Motion youth group, with the support of several state and private agencies, pushed hard for a Disability History Month initiative, sponsored by State Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe. The bill passed in both Houses and was signed into law on March 26, 2008. In Florida, the Florida Youth Council, in concert with The Florida Developmental Disabilities Committee, helped create and support a Disability History Week initiative, HB 91/SB 856. Sponsored By Sen. Mike Fasano and Rep. Curtis Richardson, the bill was passed by both houses and signed into law by Governor Crist on June 13, 2008.

The Museum of disABILITY History has developed disability history curriculum for grades K-12. Working closely with NYS educators and students, this curriculum aligns with NYS and national learning standards.

Please join us in celebrating the 2007 Disability History Week, which begins October 15th or the third week of October. The following states have either resolutions or bills in place: *West Virginia*: West Virginia is celebrating their second annual Disability History. A bill was passed in early 2006, designating the third week of October as Disability History Week. *North Carolina*: NC is the second state to have a bill in effect and 2007 marks their first annual celebration of Disability History. However, their bill requires the entire month of October to be devoted to Disability History and Awareness. *Idaho*: In 2007 Idaho passed a resolution designating the third week of October as Disability History Week. *Iowa*: Iowa also recently passed a resolution designating the third week of October as Disability History Week. *Florida*: Florida passed a resolution establishing two separate weeks (October 1-15) as Disability History and Awareness Weeks. *New York*: New York has a resolution in place celebrating Disability History Week during the third week of October. Representatives in Western New York are planning to kick off the week with their annual disABILITIES Film Festival and Speaker Series, which is being sponsored by the Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc. For additional information, see http://www.disabilityfilmfest.org