After 30 years, on June 30 Brown University abruptly shut down the Choices Program and all its curriculum and resources, including a resource guide on teaching disability history and lessons that featured disability history.
The next issue of the Emerging America's History eNews will appear in September.
August 20-22 - Disability History, Anti-Ableism, and Neurodiversity in Education - A 3-Day Workshop for Educators
In-person - Lincoln, Massachusetts - Overview of social and historical constructs of disability throughout history, social justice theory and ableism, as well as the disability rights movement, social justice pedagogies, and the neurodiversity movement provided by Shawna Young. Kate Benson and Easterseals Massachusetts will provide an in-depth look at U.S. disability history, classroom strategies, and resources including the Library of Congress and Emerging America’s K–12 curriculum. Learn more about the 3-day workshop.
To sign up, email Shawna Young <syoung@lincnet.org>. Workshop: $100. Attend all three days, just Day 1, or just Days 2-3. Receive a certificate of participation for 10 hours (Day 1) and 14 hours (for Days 2-3). Optional 1 grad credit in history from Westfield State University for Days 2-3 would be an additional $250.
Materials from Teaching Disability History Conference
Teachers, historians, disability advocates and teacher-educators from California to New Hampshire gathered July 8 at Keene State College to discuss and share how to advance the Teaching of Disability History. Find a wealth of presentation slides, articles, teaching materials and primary sources on the conference website.
Teaching Disability History Interest Group
Teachers, disability advocates, historians, higher education students and allied organizations meet quarterly to share resources and discuss how to advance the field. ASL and CART provided. Supported by a Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources grant. Next meeting is September 18, 5:00-6:00pm Eastern Time. To join the group, email Rich Cairn - rcairn @ collaborative.org.
Recordings, transcript, slides & resources from the April 15 virtual Teaching Disability History Conference
Free conference for teachers, disability advocates, historians, higher education students and allied organizations. Supported by a Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources grant.
Easterseals Cody Rooney, Olivia Thompson and Desi Forte present on the
Teach Disability History campaign at the 2025 National Council for Independent Living
Other Events
In-person, unless noted. Hybrid = in-person and virtual options.
Committed to Access and Inclusion of All Learners in Civics, History and Social Studies
Created in response to teacher requests in 2013, the History eNews emailed monthly short descriptions and links of quality history and social studies events and resources. Since September, 2024 items appear in an Emerging America blog page from the first of each month, with a monthly Constant Contact email notice to our 2,300+ subscribers. Sign up free at the bottom of the page.
We welcome your news & events!
Published monthly on the first of the month, updated continuously through the month.
Submit items any time to rcairn @ collaborative.org.
Email rcairn @ collaborative.org to be removed from this list.
Content created and featured in partnership with the Teaching with Primary Sources program does not indicate an endorsement by the Library of Congress.
Image Credits
Photos of U.S. Capitol, march and Teach Disability History presentation by Desi Forte at the National Council for Independent Living, July, 2025.
Civics and Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, Collaborative for Educational Services
Rich Cairn founded Emerging America in 2006, which features the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program at the Collaborative for Educational Services, and the National Endowment for the Humanities Landmarks of American History program, "Forge of Innovation: The Springfield Armory and the Genesis of American Industry." The Accessing Inquiry clearinghouse, supported by the Library of Congress TPS program promotes full inclusion of students with disabilities and English Learners in civics and social studies education.
