WHEREAS, in order to ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities into society, it is necessary to expand the public’s knowledge, awareness and understanding of the history of people with disabilities and the disability rights movement; and

        WHEREAS, a 2005 study conducted by Boise State University on behalf of the Idaho State Independent Living Council found that approximately 45 percent of Idaho households include at least one person with a disability, and

        WHEREAS, the disability rights movement is a civil rights movement that is an important part of the history of this state and this country; and

        WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as Disability Awareness Month; and

        WHEREAS, there is a need to include instruction on disability history, people with disabilities and the disability rights movement into the existing public school curriculum, and

        WHEREAS, there is a need to increase the awareness and understanding of the history and contributions of people with disabilities in the state, nation and world by designating the annual observance of October as “Disability History Month”; and

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim October 2007, to be

DISABILITY HISTORY MONTH

in Idaho.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at Boise, Idaho, on this 18th day of October in the year of our Lord two-thousand and seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-second and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred eighteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE