In 2008, Washington State established October as Disability History Month through state legislation. The law, codified in Title 28A of the Revised Code of Washington, designates October as a civic observance in public schools and requires that each school conduct or promote educational activities that provide instruction, awareness, and understanding of disability history and people with disabilities.

The legislation goes beyond a ceremonial designation. It directs schools to recognize the history, contributions, and civil rights advances of people with disabilities and to promote inclusion and respect in school communities. By formally integrating disability history into public education, Washington strengthened its commitment to increasing awareness, reducing stigma and bullying, and ensuring students learn about the disability rights movement as part of the broader story of civil rights.