History

The Inclusion Project and the Origins of Virginia’s Disability History and Awareness month (DHAM) 

The Inclusion Project was started by a dedicated group of youth leaders with disabilities from Virginia’s Youth Leadership Academy and the I’m Determined Project who were concerned that peers, educators, and staff in schools lacked general awareness of disabilities. The youth successfully pushed for a Disability History and Awareness Month (DHAM) which was introduced and passed in February 2009 by the Virginia General Assembly. In Virginia, DHAM is officially celebrated in Virginia Public Schools and Institutions of Higher Education across the Commonwealth during the month of October.

In 2012, the youth leaders with disabilities were challenged by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to lead efforts to increase awareness of people with disabilities 12 months a year. The result was the Inclusion Project. The youth leadership team felt strongly that an activity-based approach with students directly involved in hands-on activities would increase awareness and education in schools, and would be an integral part of Virginia’s celebration of DHAM.

Many of the original youth leaders continue to lead, making communities across Virginia more inclusive. Since then, a rotating group of new leaders with