Bill Text: NJ AJR51 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates October of each year as "Disability History and Awareness Month" and encourages instruction concerning disabilities in the public schools.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-12-19 - Substituted by SJR31 [AJR51 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AJR51-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Designates October of each year as "Disability History and Awareness Month" and encourages instruction concerning disabilities in the public schools.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating October of each year as "Disability History and Awareness Month" in New Jersey and encouraging instruction on the history, achievements, and experiences of people with disabilities in the public schools.
Whereas, The United States Census Bureau reported in 2000 that 18% of New Jersey residents have some form of disability; and
Whereas, In order to ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities into society, it is necessary to expand the public's knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the history, achievements, and experiences of people with disabilities; and
Whereas, The disability rights movement is a civil rights movement that is an important part of the history of this State and country; and
Whereas, October is recognized nationally as "Disability Awareness Month;" and
Whereas, There is a need to increase public awareness and respect for people with disabilities, teach future generations that people with disabilities have a rich history and have made valuable contributions throughout the State and nation, and ensure that future generations understand that disability is a natural part of life and that people with disabilities have a right to be treated, above all else, as individuals; and
Whereas, There is a need to include instruction on disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement into the existing public school curriculum; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. October of each year is designated as "Disability History and Awareness Month" in New Jersey to foster awareness and understanding of the history, achievements, and experiences of people with disabilities.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing October as "Disability History and Awareness Month" in New Jersey and public officials and the citizens of this State are called upon to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. The Commissioner of Education is urged to develop and distribute curriculum guidelines for the teaching of subjects and topics concerning and relating to disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement to each school district in the State and to encourage their adoption by such districts.
4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates October of each year as "Disability History and Awareness Month" in New Jersey to foster awareness and understanding of the history, achievements, and experiences of people with disabilities. The resolution requests the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing October as "Disability History and Awareness Month" in New Jersey and calls upon public officials and citizens to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. The resolution also urges the Commissioner of Education to develop and distribute curriculum guidelines for the teaching of subjects and topics concerning and relating to disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement to each school district in the State and to encourage their adoption.
