BY LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A.
The state of New Jersey recently passed a law requiring that school districts include awareness of the accomplishments of individuals with disabilities as well as those who are LGBT (lesbian/gay/bi/trans) in school districts' curricula.
The Museum of DisABILITY History noted that individuals with disabilities are the largest minority group and have "made enormous social, political and cultural contributions to American life".1 This change in what is taught to our students will reinforce the diversity represented in communities, the workforce, and our citizens. New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy "believes that ensuring students learn about diverse histories will help build more tolerant communities and strengthen educational outcomes."2 The law will ensure that schools "accurately portray... the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people."3 The only other, and first state, with a similar law is California.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students with disabilities are more likely to be bullied than their typical peers. In addition, although students with disabilities make up 12% of the school population, they represent 58% of students experiencing seclusion and 75% of students subject to restraints.4 Some adults are modelling that it is ok to treat students with disabilities this way.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO LGBT STUDENTS
Students from the LGBT population have the highest suicide rates. They too are subject to bullying and stigma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 27% of transgender children feel unsafe at school, 35% are bullied, and 35% attempt suicide.5
It is important to recognize that these two populations are not mutually exclusive. There is intersectionality of individuals with disabilities and LGBT people. According to RespectAbility, over 1/3 of LGBT adults also identify as a person with a disability.6 It is important for LGBT students and students with disabilities to see others like themselves represented in the school curriculum.
By raising awareness of students with disabilities and LGBT students, schools will become more inclusive. Bullying will be reduced. School districts and their students will become more aware of the diversity of the school population. The law requires that each board of education develop procedures to address curriculum changes effective with the 2020 school year. The Museum of DisABILITY History is an excellent resource for schools, offering grade-level lesson plans on disability. Here are examples of what schools will find:
➢ Pre-K to Grade 3 | The units cover not being called "special", disability at school, service animals, assistive technology, and living with a disability.
➢ Grades 4-8 | Lesson plans include information on advocacy, disability in the media, eugenics, law, prevention, "cures", and sports participation.
➢ Grades 9-12 | Disability etiquette, self-advocacy, accomplishments, medical model, and more advanced information on the topics from earlier grades.
For more information on lesson plans, supplementary resources on specific disabilities, and a bibliography, museumofdisability.org/educational-resources
ALL-INCLUSIVE: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation in February mandating that the state's schools include instruction on the contributions of LGBTQ people and people with disabilities. nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/n-j-governor-signs-lgbtq-inclusive-curriculum-bill- law-n965806
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lauren Agoratus, M.A. is the parent of a child with multiple disabilities. She serves as the Coordinator for Family Voices-NJ and as the central/southern coordinator in her state's Family-to-Family Health Information Center, both housed at SPAN, found at spanadvocacy.org
References 1. icsny.org/still-rare-museums-highlighting-historic-contributions-of-people-with-disabili- ties-to-american-life/ 2. cnn.com/2019/02/01/us/new-jersey-lgbt-disability-curriculum-trnd/index.html 3. philly.com/news/columnists/lgbt-education-new-jersey-public-school-curriculum-gover- nor-phil-murphy-20190209.html 4. ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/programs/JFKPartners/educationtraining Documents/CANDORestraint%20and%20seclusion%2012-9-2016.pdf 5. cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6803a3.htm 6. respectability.org/2018/06/lgbt-pride-month-2018
MORE TOLERANT COMMUNITIES : RESOURCES
New Jersey Becomes Second State to Require Schools to Teach LGBT and Disability-Inclusive Material cnn.com/2019/02/01/us/new-jersey-lgbt-disability-curriculum-trnd/index.html
The NJ Law njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/S2000/1569_R2.PDF
"Schools In Transition: A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools" assets.hrc.org//files/assets/resources/Schools-In-Transition.pdf
A Practitioner's Guide: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children store.samhsa.gov/system/files/pep14-lgbtkids.pdf