To the readers of the Blue State Observer:
Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the weeklong CT Youth Leadership Forum, a conference for students with disabilities in my state. As part of the conference, we learned about advocacy, leadership and the disability community.
One of the most interesting and inspiring events of the week was learning about disability history and culture. Delegates (myself included) heard about important events, leaders and legislation in the history of the disability civil rights movement, from Louis Braille’s birth to Chicago’s 2005 Disability Pride Parade. We learned about legislation to protect veterans returning home from wars, and about a paraplegic student at UCLA-Berkeley who started the independent living movement for people with disabilities. In short, we learned that disability history is a critical part of American history.
Upon leaving the conference, my friends and I decided that we are going to lobby our state legislation to pass a law, similar to one in West Virginia, that establishes a disability history and culture week, and mandates that, during the week and throughout the year, disability history and culture is taught as a part of every student’s education.
We have set up an online petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/YLF_PROJECT/index.html, and would appreciate your signatures. If you believe that people with disabilities deserve the same dignity, respect and awareness as every other American, please sign!
Thank you very much for your support.
Posted by Matt Cavedon 
Posted by Matt Cavedon 