08-R315

2008 -- S 3081

Enacted 06/17/08

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE THIRD WEEK OF OCTOBER "DISABILITY HISTORY WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senator Daniel J. Issa

Date Introduced: June 05, 2008

     WHEREAS, On July 26, 2008, Americans will celebrate the 18th Anniversary of the

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and

     WHEREAS, Since the ADA was enacted into law in 1990, many changes have been

made, creating a more accessible environment for America's approximately 51.2 million people

with disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, There are almost 195,000 persons with disabilities living in Rhode Island,

according to the 2002 Census of Population and Housing; and

     WHEREAS, This number qualifies persons with disabilities as Rhode Island's largest

minority group; and

     WHEREAS, The month of October is also National Disability Employment Awareness

Month. This annual observance, designed to recognize the contributions of workers with

disabilities, began in 1988 with the Presidential Proclamation of Public Law 100-630 (Title III,

Sec 301a). This law replaced "National Employ the Handicapped Week," which had been

celebrated annually since 1945 during the first week in October; and

     WHEREAS, Public attitudes continue to stigmatize people with disabilities as being less

capable than those without disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, Many people with disabilities feel that stigma and therefore are not

comfortable talking about their disability; and

     WHEREAS, Attitudes are formed at a young age. It is important that our youth

understand history in order to appreciate how individuals with disabilities were once viewed and

treated. During Disability History Week, students will be provided with the opportunity to learn

how people with disabilities were instrumental in changing history, and how they became active

participants in changing societal attitudes about their needs, desires and capabilities. By teaching

disability history in schools, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that history is not

repeated and that there continues to be movement towards an even more accessible society in

future generations; and

     WHEREAS, The museum of Disability History is developing a school curriculum

focusing on disability history; and

     WHEREAS, The curriculum in many Rhode Island schools includes information about

the civil rights movement and women's rights movement, exposing students to the

accomplishments of other minority groups; and

     WHEREAS, Individuals with disabilities have achieved similar victories as a result of the

disability rights movement; and

     WHEREAS, Many famous people, including Ludwig von Beethoven, Harriet Tubman,

Alexander Graham Bell, Helen Keller, Francisco Goya, Leonardo Da Vinci, Sammy Davis Jr.,

Wilma Mankiller and Franklin Delano Roosevelt have been people with disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, Students are not typically exposed to the disability rights movement, and

many Rhode Island teachers believe that their students should learn about the history and

accomplishments of individuals with disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Islanders with disabilities are eager to share their history and

accomplishments with young people; and

     WHEREAS, Such education will improve public attitudes toward individuals with

disabilities for generations to come; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby proclaims the third week in October, 2008 as Disability History Week in Rhode Island;

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Rhode Island Department of Education is requested to encourage

schools to conduct disability awareness activities during this week and to work with Rhode Island

disability organizations to develop and disseminate a list of curriculum resources and presenters

to assist schools in carrying out these activities; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Statewide Independent Living

Council and the Rhode Island Governor's Commission on Disabilities.

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LC03036

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