Disability History Month

Welcome Page

Section One: Reframing the Narrative on Disability

Section Two: How to Include Students with Disabilities Year-Round

Section Three: Activities and Resources for Any Disability Celebration

Section Four: Four District-Recognized Disability/Inclusion Events and Ways to Celebrate

• Disability Awareness (Any Time)
• National Bullying Prevention Month and Unity Day (October)
• Inclusive Schools Week (First Week of December)
• Disability History Month (March)

Disability History Month is celebrated at different times of the year internationally, but here in Conejo Valley USD, we celebrate in March. Disability History Month celebrates the history of the Disability Rights Movement and the achievements of disabled people.

It is different from Disability Pride Month, which is celebrated every July to commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Check out this article for a history of the Disability Rights Movement.

Little People, Big Dreams Children's Book Series

Discover the lives of outstanding people, from artists to scientists to activists. This biography series for children shares each person's journey as a story, with facts and photos sections in the back. The people from the series that are featured in this Toolkit have both visible and hidden disabilities, and these trailblazers made a big impact on the world around them.

Some of the books have an accompanying Teacher's Guide.

• Maya Angelou, Speaker, writer and civil rights activist, Teacher Guide
  

• Amanda Gorman, America's first National Youth Poet Laureate
  

• Stephen Hawking, Genius physicist and author

• Frida Kahlo, One of the most famous artists of the 20th Century, Teacher Guide
  

• Harriet Tubman, Underground Railroad conductor and activist, Teacher Guide
  

• Stevie Wonder, Musical prodigy and pioneering singer-songwriter, Teacher Guide

Fighting for YES!

This picture book biography celebrates the life and work of disability rights activist and icon Judith Heumann and highlights one of her landmark achievements — leading the historic 504 Sit-In in 1977. Along with a personal reflection from Judy herself, this book captures the impact and influence of one of America’s greatest activists.

The Girl Who Thought In Pictures

This picture book tells the story of Temple Grandin, a world-renowned science hero. When Temple was diagnosed as autistic as a child, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet her unique mind and visual thinking helped her do just that! Collection of Printable Resources and Lessons for the Book

All the Way to the Top

This illustrated biography of Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, the activist who joined the disability rights movement at age 6, tells the story of her struggle for inclusion and equity, in school and on the steps of the US Capitol. Her actions helped spur the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Common Core-Aligned Educator Guide for Grades 1-5

I Am Not a Label

This anthology of short biographies explores the lives of 34 disabled "artists, thinkers, athletes and activists from past and present." Presented from a social model, this book shares the stories of some well known and some not so well known people with disabilities who have made an impact on the world. (Written for Second to Seventh Grades)

Research and Writing Prompt

Currently in 2025, the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has dyslexia. Use this as a research or writing prompt, asking students to discover how the governor's disability has shaped his success, staffing choices, priorities and policy decisions about issues affecting people with disabilities.

Instagram Posts

The Instagram images below can be shared as a multi-image post highlighting a disabled leader, icon or trailblazer for Disability History Month!

Use the hashtags #DisabilityHistoryMonth and #DisabililtyPride.

Learn About Disabled Leaders, Icons and Trailblazers

Have students research people with disabilities who are leaders, activists, athletes, artists, innovators and trailblazers. Students can share what they learn by writing an essay, song or poem, by making a video or social media post or by creating an art piece.

Disabled Leaders, Icons and Trailblazers: Rabbi Ruth Adar, Maya Angelou, Elena Ashmore, Bobbie Lea Bennett, President Joe Biden, Megan Bomgaars, Lydia X. Z. Brown, Octavia Butler, Ollie Cantos, Justin W. Chappell, John Clarke, Rebecca Cokley, Anderson Cooper, Alaqua Cox, Dekanawida, August de los Reyes, Wanda Díaz-Merced, Nyle DiMarco, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Josh Feldman, Micah Fowler, Haben Girma, Selena Gomez, Amanda Gorman, Zack Gottsagen, Temple Grandin, Samuel Habib, Stephen Hawking, Judy Heumann, LeDerick Horne, Cinda Hughes, Andy Imperato, Mia Ives-Rublee, Barbara Jordan, Frida Kahlo, Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, Emily Ladau, James LeBrecht, Jennifer Lee, Brad Lomax, Demi Lovato, Wilma Mankiller, Marlee Matlin, Michael Naranjo, Ari Ne'eman, Governor Gavin Newsom, Chris Nikic, Diego Peña, Itzhak Perlman, Dr. Victor Pineda, Cristina Sanz, Pamela Rae Schuller, Amy Sequenzia, Sequoyah, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Ali Stroker, Greta Thunberg, Harriet Tubman, Liz Weintraub, Stevie Wonder, Alice Wong, Trischa Zorn

• Erin Bell, SEDAC Chair
  
• Jenny Crosby, Committee Chair, Newbury Park High School SEDAC Representative

• Lee Ann Holland, Committee Chair, SEDAC Member At Large, Colina Middle School SEDAC Representative
• Carole Shelton, SEDAC Member At Large
  

• Erin Bell, SEDAC Chair
  
• Jenny Crosby, Committee Chair, SEDAC Member At Large, Newbury Park High School SEDAC Representative

• Lee Ann Holland, Colina Middle School SEDAC Representative
• Nicole Johnson, Westlake Hills Elementary SEDAC Representative
• Shadi Khodavandloo, Newbury Park High School SEDAC Representative
• Trina Rodriguez, SEDAC Member At Large, Colina Middle School SEDAC Representative
• Carole Shelton, Rainbow Connection FEC & FRC