Youth Caucus Delegate's 2006 Legislative Initiative Mountain State Centers for Independent Living supports the efforts of the Delegates to the 2005 Youth Caucus to pass legislation to annually designate the third week of October as "Disability History Week".

Bill Signing Ceremony: April 3, 2006

The bill signing ceremony for HB 4491 "Establishing Disability History Week" was held on Monday, April 3, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in the Governor's Office at the State Capitol in Charleston. Several delegates from the Youth Caucus were in attendance.

House Bill 4491 (similar to Senate Bill 472) "Disability History Week" was introduced in the House on February 10, 2006. On February 22, 2006, HB 4491 passed the House and was communicated to the Senate. On February 23, 2006, HB 4491 was introduced in the Senate and was referred to Senate Education.

• Read House Bill 4991

Disability History Week

• Establish the third week of October as Disability History Week.
• Require instruction in public schools on disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement without creating a burden, fiscal or otherwise.
• Encourage colleges and universities to conduct and encourage activities that provide education, awareness and understanding of disability history.
• Provide recognition from the Legislature through an annual, joint proclamation.
• Provide resources for instruction and activities.

• Increase understanding and respect and promote acceptance and inclusion.
• Inspire students with disabilities to keep trying to achieve their goals and to feel a sense of pride.
• Reduce harassment and bullying and keep students with disabilities in school.
• Reduce fights and behavior problems at school.
• This is a subject everyone needs to know about - there are over 400,000 West Virginians with disabilities!