BILL NUMBER:  S1019

 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 expand the law to direct the New York State Board of
Regents to make educational materials on the understanding and
acceptance of children with disabilities available for the instruction
of children in grades kindergarten through twelve.  Currently the law
only covers grades kindergarten through six.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Subdivision 5 of section 801 of the Education Law is amended to
include grades seven to twelfth grade 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.

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 this
legislation is to expand the current law to make the instructional
materials available to instructors for children in seventh through
twelfth grade.

It is the State's responsibility to provide a sound basic education to
all students. Included in the learning standards of the NYS Board of
Regents are goals to provide an educational framework that promotes
citizenship and civic responsibility. Previous legislation made it
possible for elementary schools (grades kindergarten through sixth
grade) to promote better understanding of youth with disabilities, and
this legislation serves as the next logical step.

Additionally, this bill authorizes the regents to consult with
stakeholders in the disability field such as the Museum of Disability.

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 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.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

S2962 of 2015-2016: Referred to Finance/ Referred to Education.
S1703 of 2013-2014: Passed Senate.
S.2352/A.8466 of 2011-2012: Passed Senate.
S.7930/A.10652 of 2009-2010 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.