The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is inviting Pennsylvania schools to join the second round of a pilot program designed to teach K-12 students about the political, economic, and social contributions of individuals with disabilities. The Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program influences the overall culture and environment of schools by reducing stigma and including disability as a part of a school-wide strategic plan.

Schools can apply for up to $30,000 in grant funding to implement the curriculum over three years.

For the program’s launch in 2023-24, PDE) selected 10 schools from across the Commonwealth to implement the program over three years. In the second round, PDE will select 20 schools to join the pilot program starting this year and running through 2028.

PDE developed a toolkit to assist schools with implementation of the pilot. The toolkit resources are inclusive of all age/grade levels and include sample lesson plans, professional development offerings/opportunities, ideas for implementing a disability inclusive curriculum, disability-led organizational contacts, and other resources.

Established under state law in 2022, the program is open to all school districts, charter schools, regional charter schools, cyber charter schools, intermediate units, area career and technical schools and nonpublic schools. Any interested entity must complete an intent to apply at PA Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program, Cohort 2 Grant Application Request. Once the intent to apply is completed, the entity will receive access to the application in the eGrants system within 48 hours.

Applications will be opened March 31, 2025, and must be submitted in eGrants by 3:00 PM on Monday, May 12, 2025. Schools can implement the new curriculum beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

Questions should be directed to Tim Krushinski at [email protected] or Nichole Kopco at [email protected].