FL S0554

Each district school board shall provide disability history and awareness instruction in all K-12 public schools during the first two weeks of October each year, beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.

The Department of Education shall assist in creating the curriculum for disability history and awareness instruction, which must include the history of disability rights, civil rights developments, and contributions of individuals with disabilities.

Instruction may be augmented by presentations from individuals who have disabilities and have been approved by the school or school district and meet background screening requirements under section 1012.465.

The bill creates the Disability History and Awareness Advisory Council within the Department of Education consisting of 15 members, including the Commissioner of Education, one state senator, one state representative, and 12 individuals who apply to the department (six under age 30 and six age 30 or older).

The council shall provide curriculum input, assist schools in locating disability presenters, and submit annual reports to state leadership by August 1 each year regarding disability awareness recommendations and policy alternatives.