BILL NUMBER:S2962

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
instruction on the history of people with disabilities

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would promote greater awareness and understanding of people
with disabilities by amending current Education Law (Chapter 265 of
the Laws of 2000) which requires the NYS Education Department to make
available to elementary schools suitable curriculum materials to aid
in the instruction on the understanding and acceptance of people with
disabilities. This amendment seeks to make available educational
materials to the department to provide these resources to secondary
schools.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Subdivision 5 of section 801 of the Education Law is amended to
include grades seven to twelfth grades in the instruction in the
understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities.

JUSTIFICATION:

Chapter 265 of the laws of 2000 was enacted to promote the spirit of
the Americans with Disabilities Act which requires a less restrictive
              

educational environment for students with disabilities. As more
students with disabilities are placed in mainstream classrooms, the
need to promote tolerance and acceptance is a core component of
teaching good citizenship. With the rise of bullying and violence in
schools this bill will influence and change how students view and
interact with others of differing abilities.

Current law requires the NYS Board of Regents to create a curriculum
that promotes mutual respect and understanding of people with
disabilities to elementary school students. The intent of chapter 265
is to make available instructional materials for teachers to teach
tolerance and, acknowledge the impact and contributions that
individuals with disabilities have had on society.

When students learn that people with disabilities are more similar
than different; that they have strengths and talents and want to
participate in school activities, a foundation for good citizenship
begins to develop.

Disability history and sensitivity will provide a forum for
discussion, which will inspire respect for individual differences and
ultimately provides a roadmap for creating an accepting society.

It is the State's responsibility to provide a sound basic education to
all students. Included in the NYS Board of Regents learning standards
are goals to provide the educational framework that promotes
citizenship and civic responsibility. Chapter 265 made it possible for
elementary schools (grades kindergarten through sixth grade) to better
prepare young students to be more tolerant to the differences that
make each of us unique.


The "Museum of Disability History" located in Western New York has
worked with teachers, special educators, advocates and parents of
children with disabilities to establish a educational materials for
grades K-12 that highlights the history of people with disabilities,
with a strong focus on awareness, sensitivity and diversity. Pilot
programs in Western New York area schools have shown these educational
materials are highly effective in the classroom.

These educational materials are free and readily accessible on the
web, adding no cost to schools or the state.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2013-2014: S.1703-A/A. Passed Senate.
2011-2012: S.2352/A.8466 Passed Senate.
2009-2010: S.7930/A.10652 died in Education.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the state.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law, and shall apply to all
school years which commence on or after its effective date.