Title and Board Action Requested
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Approve Proclamation No. P26-001, Proclaim the First Two (2) Weeks of October as Disability History and Awareness Weeks.
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Executive Summary
The Director of Exceptional Student Education, on behalf of the Superintendent of Schools, hereby requests the Board recognize the first two (2) weeks of October 2025 as Disability History and Awareness Weeks as declared by the Florida Legislature. As signed into law in 2008, the Florida Statutes sets-out Section 1003.4205, entitled "Disability History and Awareness Instruction."
To celebrate and recognize Disability History and Awareness, school districts may provide instruction for students in all public schools that expands their knowledge, understanding, and awareness of individuals with disabilities, the history of disability, and the disability rights movement.
HB 447 adds instructional topics to s. 1003.4205 F.S., for districts that participate in disability history awareness instruction. Instruction must include the following:
- Conversations on bullying for kindergarten through grade 3. Such conversations may
address what students should do if they are bullied, what they should do if they see
someone being bullied, why bullying is not the victim’s fault, what different types of
bullying look like, the possibility that a friend could be a bully or the school’s
antibullying policy.
- Activities to teach about physical disabilities for kindergarten through grade 3.
- Information about autism spectrum disorder for students in grades 4 through 6.
- Information about hearing impairments for students in grades 7 through 9.
- Information on the different types of learning and intellectual disabilities for students in
grades 10 through 12.
My Contact
Anna Jensen, Director
Exceptional Student Education
352-797-7022
2023-28 Strategic Focus Area
Priority 4: Community Connection
Financial Impact
See attached budget sheet.
If expenditure is not currently budgeted, this will serve as the budget amendment when Board approved. If the agenda item includes the purchase of goods or services, the funds requested are an anticipated amount and may fluctuate depending on such factors as current market conditions, product availability, additional funding sources, and the needs of the District. Should the actual cost exceed the anticipated amount, the Board approves the additional cost, after review by the superintendent, but not in excess of the funds available in the site’s approved annual budget.