Disability History and Awareness Month

October is recognized as Disability History and Awareness Month, aiming to promote awareness, respect, and acceptance for individuals with disabilities. The goal is to foster a stronger sense of pride among people with disabilities. Come together with FWPS to amplify the voices and broaden the stories of individuals with disabilities, fostering inclusive school environments.

As part of this work, FWPS scholars recently wrapped the 4th year of the KBTC Public Television Ability Awareness Video Series, where they share their experiences and perspectives on problem-solving, relationships, and workplace readiness. The series highlights their voices while helping promote understanding and inclusion in our schools and beyond.

Explore more stories and watch the series below.

One out of five people in the United States has a disability. To help commemorate Disability History and Awareness Month and the contributions people with disabilities have made to our schools and communities, the Washington State Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) created a video series centering student voice as a learning resource.

Watch the Office of Education Ombuds “One out of Five” video playlist.

Learn more and find additional stories and resources below this month:

·       RCW 28A.230.158

·       OSPI Resources

·       ADL: A Brief History of the Disability Rights Movement

WA Office of the Education Ombuds: Disability History and Pride Project

ACP Scholars communicate their way with personalized core boards

In Ms. Harvey’s class, students are intently drawing, coloring, and writing, every one of them focused on the day’s assignment. Earlier in the week, the class began learning about communication tools, and for Ms. Harvey’s elementary academic core program students, that involves the use of core boards and getting to create one’s own, personalized versions. The project aligned perfectly with October’s celebration of National Disability History and Awareness Month, emphasizing inclusion and self-expression.

Core boards are communication devices that provide another way for people to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs. They feature a grid of squares filled with pictures, symbols, and words that students can point to in order to communicate. Because each student is distinct, Ms. Harvey encouraged the students to make their core board unique to them and gave them the opportunity to fill in their own squares. Some of the core board include panels for family members; others have specific actions and favorite items. Food choices varied although pizza, fries, and hamburgers made repeat appearances on many of the boards. Other core board are colorfully drawn, while one student included Pete the Cat in each of their core board’s panels.

Creating the core boards was a meaningful project for the class that involved individual learning, planning, and collaboration. At times students worked independently, while in other instances, they gathered around a table with a teacher for help with spelling, or how to draw a certain item. As the class time goes by, what used to be an empty grid is now filled with their distinct panels of what matters most to them.

At Federal Way Public Schools, we celebrate the accomplishments of Ms. Harvey’s students, who through hard work and imagination created something truly their own. In our academic and functional core and special education classrooms, scholars are learning, growing, and thriving. During National Disability History and Awareness Month, we honor the voices, contributions, and achievements of individuals with disabilities—and Ms. Harvey’s class is a shining example of that spirit in action.