Disabilities History

Overview: Texas Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month

In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3616, designating the month of October as Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month. The law is codified in Texas Government Code — specifically § 662.109 of Chapter 662. This statewide observance encourages schools, state agencies, and communities to increase understanding of disability history, celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities, and promote inclusive attitudes and practices across Texas.

The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD) provides educational resources, historical materials, and curated links to national archives to support public awareness efforts during this month and throughout the year.

Photo of the ceremonial signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act by President George. H. W. Bush. He is joined by Texan disability advocate Justin Dart.

The ceremonial signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act by President George
H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. He is joined on stage by Texas disability rights activist
Justin Dart (right). The Americans with Disabilities Act is a broad civil rights law that
prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. The crowd that gathered to
witness the signing was one of the largest for any signing in White House history.
To see a video of the signing ceremony, visit the ADA Streaming Video Gallery
and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Texas Disability History Timeline

GCPD maintains a concise disability-history timeline to assist educators, public officials, and community organizations in developing programs and materials that highlight key moments in the disability rights movement.
Timeline documents are available in accessible formats:

•   Disability History Timeline (PDF)
•   Disability History Timeline (Word)
•   Disability History Month Daily Factoids (PDF)
•   Disability History Month Daily Factoids (Word)
•   A Brief History of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

These resources can be incorporated into classroom presentations, public events, or community awareness activities.

Governor's Proclamations

Each year, a gubernatorial proclamation may be issued recognizing Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month. These proclamations reaffirm the State of Texas’s commitment to honoring the leadership, advocacy, and accomplishments of Texans with disabilities. You can find the latest proclamations on the Disability Proclamations web page.

Educational and Historical Resources

To support expanded learning and engagement, the Committee provides links to key national and international disability-history collections and reference materials.

Justin Dart, past chair of the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities and advocate for people with disabilities.

Justin Dart Jr., past chair of the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities and long-standing disability rights activist. Mr. Dart was instrumental in the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Disability History Museum – Digital exhibits, primary sources, and curricula related to disability rights.
Disability Social History Project – A curated collection highlighting the broader history of disability in the U.S.
History Through Deaf Eyes – A social-history exhibit documenting the experiences and culture of Deaf Americans.
National Consortium on Leadership & Disability for Youth – Youth-oriented educational resources on disability history and leadership.
The National Archives – Records on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Federal holdings documenting the development, passage, and impact of the ADA.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History – Features online materials and virtual tours from the “The Disability Rights Movement” exhibition.
The Library of Congress – Disability Rights Collection – Archival documents, photographs, and legislative history related to disability rights in the U.S.
The National Park Service – Disability History Resources – Interpretive materials and historical information from national landmarks associated with disability rights.
U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) History Resources – Historical materials on disability employment policy and workplace inclusion.

These sources give students, educators, and the public broader context for understanding disability history beyond Texas.

Contact Information

For more information regarding Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month or for assistance with educational materials, please contact the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.