Florida SB 1330: Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education

Bill Text

1330 
Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education 
2026-01-07T07:33:49Z 
Citing this act as the “Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education Act”; authorizing the Department of Education to create the Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education Program; authorizing the department, in consultation with certain advocates, educators, and experts, to develop and make available disability awareness instruction; authorizing the department to award grants, subject to legislative appropriation, etc. 
Original Filed Version 
2026 
S 
2026-07-01T00:00:00Z 
GB 
General Bill 
__ 

 Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1330 

 By Senator Rodriguez 

 40-01494-26 20261330__ 
 1 A bill to be entitled 
 2 An act relating to disability awareness and inclusion 
 3 education; providing a short title; creating s. 
 4 1003.4299, F.S.; providing legislative intent; 
 5 authorizing the Department of Education to create the 
 6 Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education Program; 
 7 providing the goals of the program; authorizing the 
 8 department, in consultation with certain advocates, 
 9 educators, and experts, to develop and make available 
 10 disability awareness instruction; specifying goals and 
 11 grade-level expectations; providing for phased 
 12 implementation of the program; authorizing the 
 13 department to provide professional development 
 14 opportunities; authorizing training sessions; 
 15 providing requirements for the training sessions; 
 16 authorizing the department to collaborate with 
 17 advocacy organizations and other entities; authorizing 
 18 the department to award grants, subject to legislative 
 19 appropriation; authorizing the department to provide 
 20 program guidelines to school districts by a specified 
 21 date; authorizing schools to collect and report 
 22 certain data to the department; providing an effective 
 23 date. 
 24 
 25 WHEREAS, approximately one in seven children in the United 
 26 States receives services under the Individuals with Disabilities 
 27 Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 
 28 and 
 29 WHEREAS, students with disabilities are an integral part of 
 30 our school communities, yet many of their peers and educators 
 31 have limited opportunities to learn about disability awareness, 
 32 inclusion, and accessibility, and 
 33 WHEREAS, research demonstrates that early, age-appropriate 
 34 disability awareness education fosters empathy, reduces 
 35 bullying, and promotes acceptance and inclusion in school 
 36 environments, and 
 37 WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the importance of 
 38 providing students with knowledge and experiences that prepare 
 39 them to be compassionate, inclusive, and responsible citizens, 
 40 and 
 41 WHEREAS, schools play a vital role in promoting 
 42 understanding, respect, and positive attitudes toward people of 
 43 all abilities, thereby strengthening the social fabric of our 
 44 communities, NOW, THEREFORE, 
 45 
 46 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 
 47 
 48 Section 1. This act may be cited as the “Disability 
 49 Awareness and Inclusion Education Act.” 
 50 Section 2. Section 1003.4299, Florida Statutes, is created 
 51 to read: 
 52 1003.4299 Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education 
 53 Program.— 
 54 (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the intent of the Legislature 
 55 to promote empathy, acceptance, and inclusion among all students 
 56 by integrating disability awareness education in this state’s K 
 57 12 public school curriculum. The Legislature finds that early 
 58 education about disabilities fosters compassion, reduces stigma, 
 59 and contributes to positive school climates. 
 60 (2) PROGRAM CREATION AND GOALS.— 
 61 (a) The Department of Education may create the Disability 
 62 Awareness and Inclusion Education Program. 
 63 (b) The Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education 
 64 Program shall: 
 65 1. Increase awareness of visible and invisible 
 66 disabilities; 
 67 2. Promote empathy through storytelling, simulations, and 
 68 interactive learning; 
 69 3. Encourage inclusion by reducing stigma and fostering 
 70 friendship and belonging; and 
 71 4. Inspire student advocacy and leadership to support peers 
 72 with disabilities. 
 73 (3) CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK.— 
 74 (a) The department, in consultation with disability 
 75 advocates, educators, and subject-matter experts, may develop 
 76 and make available age-appropriate curriculum standards and 
 77 instructional materials for implementation in kindergarten 
 78 through grade 12. 
 79 (b) Instruction may include: 
 80 1. For kindergarten through grade 5, at least one lesson 
 81 per month emphasizing kindness, empathy, and understanding of 
 82 disabilities through stories and simple activities. 
 83 2. For grades 6 through 8, at least two lessons per month 
 84 incorporating hands-on activities, such as simulations, as well 
 85 as group projects and lessons on accessibility and disability 
 86 history. 
 87