Disability History and Awareness Weeks at Florida Department of Education Join us in celebrating Disability History and Awareness Weeks October 1-10, 2014. Disability History and Awareness Instruction (Section 1003.4205, Florida Statutes) was signed into law in 2008. It requires school districts to designate the first two weeks of October to provide instruction for students in all public schools to expand student knowledge, understanding, and awareness of individuals with disabilities, disability history, and the disability rights movement. One of every five Americans is a person with a disability. A person may be born with a disability, may acquire a disability through an accident or illness, or may acquire a disability simply as a part of growing older. Although disability is a natural part of life, people with disabilities have not always had access to equal opportunities. Not until 1975, with the passage of the Federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act (now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), did school-aged children with disabilities have a right to a free appropriate public education. Florida started its first special education class in 1926 in Jacksonville. Since then, specially designed instruction and related services have expanded throughout Florida. Now, approximately 360,000 students identified as having a disability participate in Floridas public education system. Many graduate and go on to postsecondary education or employment. We are proud to participate in promoting awareness of disability history and the contributions of individuals with disabilities and to designate the first two weeks in October for Disability History and Awareness.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 20:14:06 +0000
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