This fully asynchronous course examines disability history and awareness. It provides resources for promoting educational activities, awareness, and understanding of disability history and people with disabilities as required by RCW 28A.230.158. The course offers an opportunity to learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion through the lens of disability history and to reflect on the impacts of disability rights history, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), on civil rights and social justice. Educators will read articles, watch videos, write short reflections, and for the final assignment build a lesson plan that incorporates insights and tools provided in the course. Completion of this course offers an opportunity to purchase 10 clock hours in Equity or Educational Leadership. NWESD 189 is a state approved clock hour provider and clock hours can be used for certificate renewal in Washington State.

Participants may also consider enrolling in the related NWESD online courses:

• The fully asynchronous course "Book Study: Being Heumann" is a book study of Judith Heumann’s 2020 memoir Being Heumann:  An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist. Heumann chronicles her experience as a paralyzed disability rights activist, including her battle to earn a teaching license, the Section 504 sit-in, and the adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  
• "Film Study:  Crip Camp," which is a film study of the 2020 Netflix documentary Crip Camp:  A Disability Revolution.  The documentary traces the fight of Heumann and others for disability civil rights and inclusion. The course provides an opportunity to reflect on curriculum resources that can be used for Disability History and Awareness Month (October).

Deadline: Participants must complete this session in Canvas by July 15, 2026. Course attendance is taken on an on-going basis after participants finish, often within 3-5 days, though during rush periods and holiday breaks please be aware it may take up to 2 weeks.