Celebrating People with Disabilities through Stamps

Section 3: Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee

8-cent Albert Einstein stamp — Albert Einsten was a genius ahead of his time and he had Asperger's Syndrome. People who have Asperger's Syndrome have similar characteristics as those with Autism (brain development disorder with restrictions to behavior and communication performance), but function on a higher lingustic and cognitive process.

Starting in 1957, the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) was founded to solicit public recommendations for stamp selections. Before CSAC, only one stamp on disability awareness was released. Subjects on disability topics and awareness increased with public recommendations.

Discuss CSAC with students and have them consider a figure with a disability they would like to recommend and explain why. To extend the lesson, they can consider which disability they would like to raise awareness through stamps. Have them explain how CSAC rules apply to their choices.