Add Disability History to Curriculum

In the United States, there are 49.7 million Americans with disabilities. As of 2000, this represents 19.3 percent of the 257.2 million civilians age 5 and older, who are not living in prisons or other institutions. 6.5 million children and youths receive special education and related services to meet their individual needs.

More and more children with disabilities are receiving education at the home school in their neighborhoods. Many of these children receive services in a segregated environment and they are often the targets of bullying.

We believe, teaching the history of the disability rights movement and about the positive impact people with disabilities have had on technology and society, in schools as part of our history curriculum and standards of learning, is necessary. Teaching the history of other diverse groups, in our school systems, has been proven to have a positive impact on the group and society, as a whole. It has taught inclusion, communication, respect and compassion.

We know, teaching our children's generation about disability history will have the same impact. Our children will learn to have respect, inclusion, communication and, compassion toward their peers with disabilities. The impact this will have on society will be far reaching.