LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim the third week in October of 2009 as Disability History Week in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, According to the US Census, in 2000, New York State had a total
population of 18,976,457 persons, of which 6,406,530 are people with
disabilities; and
WHEREAS, The National Center for Education Statistics reported that in
2004 the K-12 education system in New York State included 442,665
students with disabilities, or approximately 16% of the student body;
and
WHEREAS, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is founded on
four principles: inclusion, full participation, economic self-sufficien-
cy and equality of opportunity for all people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, To ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities into
society, it is necessary to expand the public's knowledge, awareness,
and understanding of the history of disabilities and the disability
rights movement; and
WHEREAS, New York State has always been and continues to be at the
forefront of recognizing people of different races, religions, and abil-
ities; in 1945, New York was the first state to enact an anti-discrimi-
nation law; in 1968, under the Human Rights Law, the State Division of
Human Rights was created; and
WHEREAS, A key method of promoting such understanding is for the
public schools to provide instruction in disability history, people with
disabilities, and the disability rights movement, through the school
curriculum, school assemblies, and other school activities; and
WHEREAS, It is desirable that state postsecondary institutions promote
activities that provide education, awareness, and understanding regard-
ing people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body also encourages cooperation between
educational institutions and community-based organizations as a way to
promote better treatment and fairer hiring practices for people with
disabilities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim the third week in
October of 2009 as Disability History Week in the State of New York; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, and People Inc. Museum of disABILITY History.