The Struggle for Disability Rights: From Objects of Reform to Advocates for Equality

Published in the National History Day 2026 Theme Book - June, 2025

Overview article on disability history for teachers and secondary students.

We are proud to share this excellent overview summary of disability history!

“Completely Healthy Children” - The Persistence of Disabled Children and Their Allies During Aktion T4 and the Holocaust

By Wyatt Edwards

In Mikaël Ross’s graphic novel The Thud, the main character Noel, who has a developmental disability and has just arrived at a care facility in Germany, learns from an older woman named Irma about how her brother once told her the story of how the buses came to take disabled children. He was later taken himself and the Nazis killed him at one of Adolf Hitler’s so-called medical centers.

The Dehumanizing Effects of Eugenics: Disability History Lesson Plan

By Rich Cairn 

The engravings on the right of two young women are haunting. Aside from the clothing, these faces could easily be high school or college students today. Yet these images appeared in the New York Tribune in 1912 under the headline, “Eugenists Would Improve Human Stock by Blotting Out Blood Taints,” with the subheading, “Menaces to Society.” These women represent the millions of targets of eugenics. 

Teaching About the Disabled People’s Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence

By CherylAnne Amendola

"Whose Independence?" 5th grade lesson features reflections of the U.S. Declaration, including the 1989 Disabled People's Bill of Rights & Declaration of Independence - Cheryl Anne Amendola - National Middle Level Social Studies Teacher of the Year 2023. Link to slides from the lesson plan. 

Infusing Disability History into the Classroom

By Rich Cairn & Graham Warder

In Living with Disabilities in New England, 1630-1930

Dublin Seminar for New England Folklife 2021 Annual Proceedings.

5 Ways to Teach Disability History in Social Studies Class

Kara Newhouse - KQED - Mind/Shift

In this insightful article, Newhouse explores practical approaches and resources to integrating disability history into teaching about:

By Rich Cairn, History, Civics & Social Studies Inclusion Specialist, CES

Teaching about Disability in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era

Slides from presentation by Rich Cairn at the virtual conference: A More Perfect Union: Exploring America's Story in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, June 17, 2024

Guest post by Max Chervin Bridge

GBH News - Boston published a story and accompanying quiz on the emerging movement to #TeachDisabilityHistory.

See the article at Teaching disability history in schools is 'long overdue,' advocates say. Teachers, community advocates, and resource leaders comment on developments in the growing field. Follow links to legislation from multiple states.