The Olympia School District Board of Directors proclaimed October as Disability Inclusion Month, directing schools to promote disability awareness and inclusion activities throughout the month.

Board Vice President Maria Flores and the rest of the board approved the proclamation at the Sept. 24 meeting, as first reported by The JOLT News Organization. The proclamation calls on students, families, educators, staff and community members to promote accessibility, disability justice and equitable opportunities for students with disabilities.

The proclamation says students with disabilities deserve full access to academics, extracurriculars, graduation pathways and employment preparation. It adds that inclusive classrooms benefit all students.

State law requires October activities

The board's action aligns with a state mandate. Under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.230.158, a law enacted in 2008, every public school in the state must conduct or promote educational activities during October that provide instruction, awareness and understanding of disability history and people with disabilities. Those activities can include school assemblies and guest speaker presentations.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) recognizes October as Disability History and Awareness Month under that same statute. Lawmakers said the mandate aims to reduce harassment and bullying, increase respect and help keep students with disabilities in school.

District special education programs

Olympia School District operates several special education programs across grade levels. At the elementary level, those include the Infant/Toddler Preschool Program, the Developmental Learning Classroom (DLC) for students with moderate cognitive delays, the Life Skills Program for students with significant cognitive delays, and GROW (Growth, Respect, Opportunity and Wonder). Middle and high school students can access the DLC and Life Skills programs along with the HOPE Program (Help Our People Excel), which serves students with significant behavior disabilities.

Special education services are free to families. Any person may refer a student for an evaluation by submitting a written request to the student's principal or Social Service Coordinator.

No specific Disability Inclusion Month events or assemblies had been announced as of Sept. 30.