HB 556 -- Disability History and Awareness Month in Public
Schools

Sponsor:  Grisamore

This bill designates October as "Disability History and Awareness
Month" in all public schools and requires each school board to
annually provide instruction on the topic during the month that
expands students' knowledge, understanding, and awareness of
individuals with disabilities, the history of disability, and the
disability rights movement.  The instruction must be integrated
into the existing school curriculum and may be delivered by
qualified school personnel or knowledgeable guest speakers.  The
goals of the instruction are to include:

(1)  An understanding that there are individuals with
disabilities and they have the same rights and responsibilities
as any other person;

(2)  A school community that includes students with disabilities
and acknowledges their unique gifts, talents, and contributions;
and

(3)  A society that has reaffirmed a local, state, and federal
commitment to the full inclusion in society of and the equal
opportunity for all individuals with disabilities.

Higher education institutions are encouraged to conduct and
promote activities on their campuses that provide education,
understanding, and awareness of individuals with disabilities.

Missouri House of Representatives
96th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 9, 2011 at 1:22 pm