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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to disability history and awareness;

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creating s. 1003.4205, F.S.; requiring district school

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boards to designate "Disability History and Awareness

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Weeks" during the first 2 weeks in October each year;

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requiring students in all K-12 public schools to be

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provided disability history and awareness instruction;

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providing the content and goals of such instruction;

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encouraging state postsecondary institutions to conduct

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and promote activities related to disability history and

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awareness; providing an effective date.

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1.  Section 1003.4205, Florida Statutes, is created

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to read:

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     1003.4205 Disability history and awareness instruction.--

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     (1) Each district school board shall provide disability

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history and awareness instruction in all K-12 public schools in

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the district during the first 2 weeks in October each year. The

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district school board shall designate these 2 weeks as

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"Disability History and Awareness Weeks."

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     (2)(a) During this 2-week period, students must be provided

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intensive instruction to expand their knowledge, understanding,

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and awareness of individuals with disabilities, the history of

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disability, and the disability rights movement. Disability

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history must include the events and timelines of the development

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and evolution of services to, and the civil rights of,

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individuals with disabilities. Disability history must also

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include the contributions of specific individuals with

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disabilities, including the contributions of acknowledged

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national leaders.

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     (b) The instruction must be integrated into the existing

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school curriculum in ways including, but not limited to,

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supplementing lesson plans, holding school assemblies, or

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providing other school-related activities. The instruction may be

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delivered by qualified school personnel or by knowledgeable guest

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speakers, with a particular focus on including individuals with

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disabilities.

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     (3) The goals of disability history and awareness

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instruction include:

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     (a) Better treatment for individuals with disabilities,

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especially for youth in school, and increased attention to

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preventing the bullying or harassment of students with

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disabilities.

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     (b) Encouragement to individuals with disabilities to

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develop increased self-esteem, resulting in more individuals with

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disabilities gaining pride in being an individual with a

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disability, obtaining postsecondary education, entering the

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workforce, and contributing to their communities.

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     (c) Reaffirmation of the local, state, and federal

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commitment to the full inclusion in society of, and equal

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opportunity for, all individuals with disabilities.

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     Section 2. State postsecondary institutions are encouraged

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to conduct and promote activities on their campuses that provide

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education, understanding, and awareness of individuals with

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disabilities, disability history, and the disability rights

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movement.

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     Section 3.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.