Date: March 19, 2024
Bill: HF 4159 Ableism & Disability Justice in Schools
To: House Education Policy Committee
Chair Pryor and members of the House Education Committee,
The Minnesota Council on Disability would like to express our strong support for HF 4159, legislation that directs teachers to include instruction on ableism and disability justice in their classrooms. This bill represents progress towards an inclusive and equitable educational system.
Ableism, characterized by the discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, remains one of the most significant barriers to their full and equal participation in society. The dialogue surrounding ableism and disability justice is not only pertinent but vital to the disability community. By equipping educators with a comprehensive understanding of these issues, we can foster an environment where all students, including students with disabilities, are valued and supported.
Teachers who work with students with disabilities face immense pressures and are often overstretched. Experienced adults with disabilities, rich in empathy and understanding, are ready as a valuable resource. Their involvement in the education of students with disabilities can offer unique insights and strategies that promote inclusion and justice.
It is imperative to recognize that excluding the lived experience of those most affected by educational policies and practices is a profound oversight. Such exclusion is seldom tolerated in discussions about other marginalized groups; it should be equally unacceptable for students with disabilities. Involvement of the disability community in these discussions is not only beneficial but necessary for creating educational approaches that truly address the needs and rights of all students.
The pervasive nature of ableism in educational settings can be deeply disheartening and can discourage the educational and vocational dreams of students with disabilities. However, it also provides us with clear direction for change. By introducing future educators to the concepts of ableism and disability justice, we pave the way for a more understanding, accessible, and just educational in our state.
The Minnesota Council on Disability urges the members of the House Education Policy Committee to recognize the importance of HF 4159 and to support its passage. Together, we can work towards an education system that celebrates Minnesotans with disabilities and dismantles the systemic barriers erected by ignorance and prejudice, as well as be a model for the rest of the country.
Trevor Turner
Public Policy Director
trevor.turner@state.mn.us
David Dively
Executive Director
david.dively@state.mn.us