Weeks and Months
West Virginia's just passed a law establishing the third week in October as “Disability History Week.”
From Disability History Week Bill Becomes Law; Celebrated Third Week in October (Huntington News Net):
The legislation will: require instruction in public schools on disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement; encourage colleges and universities to conduct and promote activities that provide education, awareness and understanding of disability history; encourage the Legislature to provide recognition through an annual, joint proclamation; and provide resources for instruction and activities.
West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council director Ann Meadows told the Huntington News that this was the first officially recognized "Disability History Week" in the nation.
I couldn't help but reflect: We have Black History Month, Women's History Month, and Disability History... Week.
April 25, 2006 | Email this story
Comments (newest comments at bottom)
I hear you, really, I do, but shouldn't we be happy for anything that takes us in the right direction. Let us not belittle this achievement, let us, rather, build upon it.
Posted by: Matt on April 25, 2006 03:36 PM
I'm with Matt. Requiring -- not just encouraging, but requiring -- public schools to educate about disability history -- not just awareness, but history (as long as it doesn't dissolve into "disabled for a day" folly) -- is pretty fabulous. And considering how many of our country's other significant cultural minorities are celebrated with single days that are regarded as little more than occasions for drinking binges (Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day, folks, and I don't think there were ever snakes in Ireland), a week ain't bad. !Viva West Virginia!
Posted by: Evonne on April 26, 2006 03:17 PM
I agree. A week is a start in the right direction. Before we had nothing as far as our History goes. So this, if passed in other states also, might really help our cause.
Let's hope so!
Posted by: Denise on April 27, 2006 11:54 AM
Even more encouraging and exciting is that this legislation was spurred on in large part by the acts of youths with disability who have been working on this for a very long time and through several small victories-I'm glad to see it culminate...yes we still have a long way to go but I'm glad to take a moment to celebrate this.
Posted by: Kara on April 27, 2006 02:48 PM