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Disability History and Awareness Resources

During its 2009 session, the Virginia General Assembly adopted Senate Joint Resolution 321 designating October as Disability History and Awareness Month in Virginia. The resolution specifically cites four principles on which the Americans with Disabilities Act, and its predecessor the Virginians with Disabilities Act, are based: “inclusion, full participation, economic self-sufficiency, and equality of opportunity for all people with disabilities.” It further cites the prevalence of disabilities among Virginians and their impact on individual citizens, their families and caregivers, and society in general.

In passing its resolution, the General Assembly called upon the Governor “to encourage the people of the Commonwealth, including public schools, institutions of higher education, the business and corporate community, civic and advocacy organizations, the faith community, and other interested entities, through education and other appropriate activities, programs, and events to promote and highlight Disability History and Awareness Month in Virginia.” In addition, at the behest of Virginians with disabilities, the Governor traditionally issues his own proclamation each year designating March as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Virginia (Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services’ announcement).

In its resolution, the General Assembly also recognized the efforts of alumni of the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), sponsored by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, whose advocacy efforts prompted the legislature’s action. Following passage of the resolution, those YLF alumni, with support from parents, teachers, and the Virginia Board, the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University, the Virginia Department of Education’s Division of Special Education and Student Services, and the Technical Assistance and Training Center at Radford University, developed a bank of resources to increase students’ understanding and awareness and to support development of activities to commemorate Disability History and Awareness Month in their schools and communities.

Links to those and other resources are provided below to encourage commemorative and educational activities all across the Commonwealth which will, in the words of the General Assembly’s resolution: “increase public awareness and respect for persons with disabilities, inform the public concerning their many contributions to society…and emphasize the abilities and rights of disabled persons.”