FL H0589

Each district school board shall provide disability history and awareness instruction in all K-12 public schools during the first 2 weeks of October each year, designated as "Disability History and Awareness Weeks."

The Department of Education shall assist in creating curriculum for the instruction and approve individual presenters who have disabilities to deliver the instruction beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.

The Department of Education shall establish a 9-member disability history and awareness advisory council including the Commissioner of Education, six residents with disabilities (one from each of six regions), and representatives from the House and Senate.

The council shall ensure presenters have first-hand knowledge of disability challenges, meet background check requirements under the Jessica Lunsford Act, and submit annual reports to the Governor, legislative leadership, and school district superintendents.

Goals of the instruction include preventing bullying and harassment of students with disabilities, increasing self-esteem and community participation among individuals with disabilities, and reaffirming commitment to full inclusion and equal opportunity.