October is 
National Bullying Prevention Month. Founded in October 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, this nationwide event is recognized in schools and communities and supported by the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and the National PTA, among others. On Wednesday, October 10th organizations throughout the nation are “breaking out the orange” to join PACER with their “Make it Orange and Make it End” campaign against bullying.
According to Julie Hertzog, director of the PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, “Nearly one-third of all school-aged children are bullied each year—upwards of 13 million students.” Research on the bullying of children with disabilities shows that these children are two to three more times likely to be bullied than their nondisabled peers. One study shows that 60 percent of students with disabilities report being bullied regularly compared to 25 percent of all students. Students with disabilities, particularly teens, are especially vulnerable due to either unique physical or emotional differences which bullies prey upon.
The National Bullying Prevention Center offers a fact sheet on students with disabilities as well as other resources on their website on how to organize Unite Day events.
Additional reading on bullying of students with disabilities:
Briefing Paper, “Bullying and Students with Disabilities”
Walk-A-Mile In Their Shoes: Bullying and the Child with Special Needs
Bullying of Children with Exceptionalities: Tackling It in Your School and Your Classroom
Bullying Among Children and Youth with Disabilities and Special Needs
