FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
     
    S
      
    TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
     
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Chairman
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    DR. AKSHAY DESAI
    ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
    PHOEBE RAULERSON
    KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
     
    Dr. Eric J. Smith
    Commissioner of Education
      
     
      
     
      
     
     
     
     
     
    MEMORANDUM
      
    TO:
    District Superintendents
    Community College Presidents
    State University Presidents
      
    FROM:
    Dr. Eric J. Smith
    Commissioner, Florida Department of Education
     
    Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg
    Chancellor, Board of Governors
     
    Ms. Lucy Hadi
    Chancellor, Division of Workforce Education
     
    Dr. Frances Haithcock
    Chancellor, Division of Public Schools
     
    Dr. Judy Bilsky
    Acting Chancellor, Florida College System
     
    DATE:
    July 10, 2008
     
    SUBJECT: Disability History and Awareness Instruction
     
    The 2008 Legislature created Section 1003.4205, Florida Statutes, Disability History and Awareness
    Instruction. Based on this new statute, district school boards will be required to designate the first two
    weeks in October each year as “Disability History and Awareness Weeks”. During these two weeks,
    district school boards may provide disability history and awareness instruction in all K-12 public schools.
     
    The purpose of the intensive instruction is to expand students’ knowledge, understanding, and awareness
    of individuals with disabilities, the history of disability, and the disability rights movement. It is
    recommended that the instruction be integrated into the existing school curriculum. Instruction may be
    delivered by qualified school personnel or knowledgeable guest speakers with a focus on including
    individuals with disabilities.
     
     
     
    325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
    District Superintendents
    Community College Presidents
    State University Presidents
    July 10, 2008
    Page 2
    he goals of disability history and awareness instruction include: (1) better treatment of individuals with
    the
    y
    /DHAwareness%20Memo%20attachment%20draft%207-3-08%20RTF.rtf
     
    T
    disabilities in society (especially youth in school) and increased attention to preventing the bullying or
    harassment of students with disabilities; (2) encouragement to individuals with disabilities to develop
    self-esteem, resulting in more individuals with disabilities gaining pride, obtaining postsecondary
    education, entering the workforce, and contributing to their communities; and, (3) reaffirmation of
    commitment to the full inclusion of and equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities. A variet
    of resources are available at
    http://www.fldoe.org/ese/doc
      
    he legislation encourages state postsecondary institutions to conduct and promote activities on their
    e urge school district, community college, and state university staff to collaborate in this educational
    he legislation will become effective on July 1, 2008. If you have questions or need additional
    ureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services-Kathy Burton, Program Specialist,
    to assist educators in providing disability history and awareness instruction.
     
    T
    campuses which provide education, understanding, and awareness of individuals with disabilities,
    disability history, and the disability rights movement.
     
    W
    effort. Such collaboration would send a unified message of opportunity and inclusion throughout the
    state and contribute to improving outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
     
    T
    information, please contact:
     
    B
    Family Services, (850) 245-0475, or e-mail: Kathy.Burton@fldoe.org; Janet Adams, Transition
    Consultant, Student Support Services Project, (850) 922-3727, or e-mail:
    jadams@coedu.usf.edu
    D
    ucation-Jane Silveria, State Supervisor, Special Populations,
    ivision of Workforce Ed
    (850) 245-9022, or e-mail: Jane.Silveria@fldoe.org
    Division of Community Colleges-Amy Albee, Coordinator of Outreach and Access,
    (850) 245-9488, ext. 177, or e-mail: Amy.Albee@fldoe.org
    Board of Governors-Lynda Page, Associate Director of Academic and Student Affairs,
    (850) 245-9693, or e-mail: Lynda.Page@flbog.org
     
     
    EJS/LH/FH/WNH/MBR/ms
    c: District Exceptional Student Education Directors
    ion Transition Contacts
    es of Workforce Education
    il of Academic Vice Presidents
     
     
    c
    District Student Services Directors
    District Exceptional Student Educat
    District Career and Technical Education Directors
    District Adult Education Directors
    Area Technical Center Directors
    Deans, Community College Offic
    Directors, Community College Offices of
    Services for Students with Disabilities
    Members, State University System Counc
    Directors, State University Disability Resource Centers

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