Senate Bill S7930

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S7930

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


 PURPOSE :
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 will require the department to provide
the curriculum to secondary schools.

 SUMMARY OF 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 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 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,
have strengths and talents, and want to participate in school
activities, a foundation for good citizenship begins to develop.
Disability History curriculum will provide a forum for discussion and
inspires 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.

This legislation would continue in that spirit by requiring secondary
schools to teach a disabilities curriculum in seventh through twelfth
grades.

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 curriculum for grades K-l2
that highlights the history of people with disabilities, with a strong
focus on awareness, sensitivity and diversity. Pilot programs in WNY
area schools have shown the curriculum to be effective in the
classroom. This curriculum is free and readily accessible on the web,
adding no cost to schools or the state.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
New Bill.
 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
None.

 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.