I recently listened to A.D.A. Now! from NPR's Throughline, an incredible podcast that explores, through first-person stories, the history of how disability came to be seen as a civil rights issue, how the Americans with Disability Act changed American society, and what the disability community is still fighting over 30 years later.
It occurred to me that exploring how the ADA impacted (and continues to impact) your local community--and what life was life for disabled people before this landmark legislation passed--would be a great class project.
It would also make an amazing National History Day project for an individual student or group of students, especially because this year's theme is Turning Points in History, and the passage of the ADA is nothing if not a turning point.
What's National History Day, you ask? It's a program that has grade 6-12 students conduct in-depth research to develop projects around annual themes before sharing their findings in one of five presentation categories (papers, performances, exhibits, documentaries, and websites). This can be an exclusively classroom-based experience, or students can also enter their projects into History Day competition. This year, regional competitions will be held in Helena and Miles City in February. The statewide competition will be held in Bozeman in April. Winners at state can go on to compete in Washington, D.C. Visit the National History Day in Montana website or email nationalhistorydaymt@gmail.com for more information.
It's not too late to get your students involved in National History Day, but if you are unsure whether you want to take it on, I'd encourage you to sign up to judge at one of the competitions. That's the best way to see how powerful the program can be, and NHD in Montana is offering OPI renewal units to teachers who judge. Sign up to judge at the contest closest to you:
- Western Regional: Capital High School, Helena, Saturday, February 3, 2024
- Eastern Regional: Miles Community College, Miles City, Saturday, February 24, 2024,
- State Competition: Montana State University, Bozeman, Saturday, April 6, 2024.
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