THE BILL ITSELF
SB 1330
Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1330 By Senator Rodriguez 40-01494-26 20261330__
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to disability awareness and inclusion
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education; providing a short title; creating s.
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1003.4299, F.S.; providing legislative intent;
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authorizing the Department of Education to create the
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Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education Program;
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providing the goals of the program; authorizing the
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department, in consultation with certain advocates,
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educators, and experts, to develop and make available
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disability awareness instruction; specifying goals and
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grade-level expectations; providing for phased
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implementation of the program; authorizing the
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department to provide professional development
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opportunities; authorizing training sessions;
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providing requirements for the training sessions;
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authorizing the department to collaborate with
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advocacy organizations and other entities; authorizing
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the department to award grants, subject to legislative
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appropriation; authorizing the department to provide
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program guidelines to school districts by a specified
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date; authorizing schools to collect and report
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certain data to the department; providing an effective
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date.
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WHEREAS, approximately one in seven children in the United
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States receives services under the Individuals with Disabilities
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Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
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and
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WHEREAS, students with disabilities are an integral part of
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our school communities, yet many of their peers and educators
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have limited opportunities to learn about disability awareness,
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inclusion, and accessibility, and
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WHEREAS, research demonstrates that early, age-appropriate
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disability awareness education fosters empathy, reduces
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bullying, and promotes acceptance and inclusion in school
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environments, and
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WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the importance of
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providing students with knowledge and experiences that prepare
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them to be compassionate, inclusive, and responsible citizens,
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and
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WHEREAS, schools play a vital role in promoting
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understanding, respect, and positive attitudes toward people of
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all abilities, thereby strengthening the social fabric of our
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communities, NOW, THEREFORE,
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. This act may be cited as the “Disability
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Awareness and Inclusion Education Act.”
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Section 2. Section 1003.4299, Florida Statutes, is created
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to read:
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1003.4299 Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education
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Program.—
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(1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the intent of the Legislature
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to promote empathy, acceptance, and inclusion among all students
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by integrating disability awareness education in this state’s K
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12 public school curriculum. The Legislature finds that early
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education about disabilities fosters compassion, reduces stigma,
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and contributes to positive school climates.
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(2) PROGRAM CREATION AND GOALS.—
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(a) The Department of Education may create the Disability
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Awareness and Inclusion Education Program.
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(b) The Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education
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Program shall:
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1. Increase awareness of visible and invisible
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disabilities;
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2. Promote empathy through storytelling, simulations, and
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interactive learning;
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3. Encourage inclusion by reducing stigma and fostering
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friendship and belonging; and
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4. Inspire student advocacy and leadership to support peers
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with disabilities.
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(3) CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK.—
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(a) The department, in consultation with disability
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advocates, educators, and subject-matter experts, may develop
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and make available age-appropriate curriculum standards and
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instructional materials for implementation in kindergarten
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through grade 12.
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(b) Instruction may include:
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1. For kindergarten through grade 5, at least one lesson
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per month emphasizing kindness, empathy, and understanding of
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disabilities through stories and simple activities.
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2. For grades 6 through 8, at least two lessons per month
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incorporating hands-on activities, such as simulations, as well
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as group projects and lessons on accessibility and disability
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history.
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3. For grades 9 through 12, a 4- to 6-week annual program
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addressing disability rights, advocacy, media representation,
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and community service projects.
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(4) IMPLEMENTATION AND TRAINING.—
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(a) The program may be implemented in three phases:
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1. Phase 1 may include pilot implementation in selected
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schools for one year.
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2. Phase 2 may begin the second year of the program and
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shall include districtwide expansion.
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3. Phase 3 may begin the fourth year of the program and
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include statewide expansion.
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(b) The department may provide guidance and professional
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development opportunities for teachers and parents involved in
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supporting disability awareness education.
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(c) Training sessions may be conducted at least twice per
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year, either in person or virtually, and may include:
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1. Evidence-based strategies to promote inclusion, empathy,
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and understanding of disabilities;
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2. Tools to support students with disabilities in academic
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and social settings; and
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3. Methods to enhance home–school collaboration and
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reinforce inclusive practices across environments.
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(5) COLLABORATION.—The department may collaborate with
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disability advocacy organizations, parent training and
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information centers, and universities with expertise in
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inclusive education to develop, implement, and evaluate
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curriculum and training materials.
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(6) FUNDING.—Subject to legislative appropriation, the
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department may award grants to school districts to support
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implementation of this program, including the development of
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instructional materials and professional development activities.
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(7) IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE.—The department may establish
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program guidelines and make them available to school districts
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no later than January 1, 2027.
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(8) PROGRAM EVALUATION.—Participating schools may collect
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and report data to the department on student empathy surveys,
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teacher and parent observations, and indicators of school
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climate, including measures of inclusion and bullying. The
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department may use this information to guide program improvement
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and statewide rollout.
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Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.