West Virginia Code 18-10O-5 – Disability History Week designated
(a) The third week of October annually is designated as Disability History Week for the State of West Virginia.
Terms Used In West Virginia Code 18-10O-5
- Concurrent resolution: A legislative measure, designated "S. Con. Res." and numbered consecutively upon introduction, generally employed to address the sentiments of both chambers, to deal with issues or matters affecting both houses, such as a concurrent budget resolution, or to create a temporary joint committee. Concurrent resolutions are not submitted to the President/Governor and thus do not have the force of law.
- Disability history: means the people, events and timelines of the development and evolution of services to, and the civil rights of, people with disabilities. See West Virginia Code 18-10O-4
- Existing school curriculum: means all the courses and curricula currently in place at a public school. See West Virginia Code 18-10O-4
- School: means the students and teachers assembled in one or more buildings, organized as a unit. See West Virginia Code 18-1-1
- State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
(b) In recognition of and to further the purposes of Disability History Week, each public school shall provide instruction on disability history, people with disabilities and the disability rights movement. The instruction shall be integrated into the existing school curriculum in a manner such as, but not limited to, supplementing existing lesson plans, holding school assemblies or providing other school activities. The instruction may be delivered by school personnel or by guest speakers.
(c) State institutions of higher education are encouraged to conduct and promote activities that provide education, awareness and understanding of disability history, people with disabilities and the disability rights movement.
(d) The Legislature is encouraged to annually recognize Disability History Week by introducing a concurrent resolution to:
(1) Recognize youth leaders in the disability rights movement;
(2) Reaffirm a commitment to the full inclusion of people with disabilities in society; and
(3) Recognize the disability rights movement as an important part of the history of this state and nation.
(e) Recognized resources for information, materials and speakers regarding disability history, people with disabilities and the disability rights movement include, but are not limited to:
(1) Centers for Independent Living;
(2) The Statewide Independent Living Council;
(3) The Developmental Disabilities Council; and
(4) The State Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator.
(f) The provisions of this article are not intended to create a burden, financial or otherwise, for public schools, teachers or state institutions of higher education.