Disability history and awareness; objectives, guidelines and goals

(a) The state board of education shall designate a period of time each school year as a time for disability history and awareness. (b) The state board of education shall develop objectives and guidelines for disability history and awareness, for all grade levels, within the existing curriculum for history, social studies or other appropriate subject-matter curriculum. The components of disability history and awareness may include, but not be limited to, the events and time lines relating to the development and evolution of services provided to individuals with disabilities and information relating to the contributions of specific individuals with disabilities, including the contributions of acknowledged national leaders. (c) The goals of disability history and awareness instruction include: (1) Encouraging the better treatment of individuals with disabilities, especially for school-age children. (2) Increasing attention to the prevention of bullying or harassment of students with disabilities. (3) Encouraging the development of self-esteem in individuals with disabilities. (4) Encouraging individuals with disabilities to obtain a postsecondary education which will empower such individuals to enter the workforce and contribute to their communities. (5) Reaffirming the local, state and federal commitment to providing an equal opportunity for, and the full inclusion in society of, all individuals with disabilities. (d) Each school district shall include disability history and awareness within the district's curriculum as deemed appropriate by the district.