New York State establishes Disability History Week

It has taken years to get there, but New York State has named the third week in October as Disability History Week.

This past month was the first time the week was honored, Oct. 15-19. The resolution officially designating the week was passed by the NYS Legislature in June 2007 and encourages schools to provide instruction to their students regarding disability history.

Locally, People Inc. honored the first-ever Disability History Week with a week-long celebration.

On Oct. 18, the Museum of disABILITY History, the first of its kind anywhere, located on North Forest Road, was the site of several of the events, including a presentation by Assemblyman Mark Schroeder and Lt. Gov. David Patterson. Together the two commemorated the establishment of Disability History Week.

Through the work of the museum staff, a school curriculum focusing on disability history has been developed, and is available to any school.

The project was funded by a grant from the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, and by People Inc.

For information visit www.disabilityhistoryweek. com.