Disability Resources and Activities

 

Web Resources:

Theme of the Month: Diversity and Acceptance

 

Instructional Plans:

  • Acknowledge individuals with disabilities whenever possible in all units.  For example, when teaching about communication, discuss how individuals who cannot speak communicate. Go on a neighborhood/school walk and look for accommodations for all individuals (e.g., the ramp to the music room and learning cottage, Braille on any signs, push buttons for doors).  How do these accommodations make our school better for all people?
  • Encourage the acceptance of differences by displaying artifacts in your classroom that depict individuals from diverse cultures and ability levels.
  • Write a story about accepting new friends at Taylor Prairie as class or whole group. “I welcome new friends at Taylor Prairie by___________________.”
  • Make a welcome to Taylor Prairie Book.  What would you want to know if you were new here?  How can we make TP a more accepting place?
  • Discuss, what would the world be like if we were all the same? Discuss something each child feels is unique about themselves and why. 
  • During a gross motor activity, ask the students how they would adapt a game or activity if they couldn’t use a certain body part or skills.  For example, how could you play soccer if you couldn’t see the ball?  Discuss Goal Ball, a sport played mostly by individuals with visual impairments that involves a bell in a ball.  If possible, try different sport adaptations. 
  • During a circle time, discuss various forms of communication.  How do you communicate with different people?  Those who speak different languages, with someone who doesn’t speak, with someone who cannot hear, etc.  Emphasize students speaking directly to that person even if they cannot speak, not to an adult or other person with them.   Act out what a student would do if they couldn’t speak when asked a question.  Process how does that feel?

 

Web Resources:

 

Biographies on Famous African Americans:


I Have a Dream Speech with audio link:


Teacher’s guide for computer book about accepting new

Using People First Language:


Beginning a Disability History Week:


Site on Visual Impairment:


Sites on Deafness:


Kids books on people with disabilities:


Take a disability quiz: truth or lie?


Movies and TV shows featuring people with disabilities


Teacher’s guide for unity activity

 

Famous people with disabilities (including Tom Cruise!):


Summary Ideas from these sites:

       

  • Discuss: What are your talents?  In what ways do those talents make you successful?
  • Discuss: What would the world be like if we were all the same? How does our diversity and differences make our school/community a better place?
  • Discuss: Do you know someone who has overcome an obstacle in his/her life?  What qualities does that person possess?
  • Simulation exercises: Have students walk blindfolded with a guide, what was that like?  Where did they think they were, how did they know? Watch some tv without sound, describe that experience.  Tape their thumb to their hands; try to open a peanut shell or write. Process what that experience was like.
  • What is universal design?  A design to all things that benefits all people, take a walk around CGS looking for these types of designs that make our school accessible to all people regardless of ability. What did you find?
  • Read about a famous person with a disability like Helen Keller. What did her life teach us today?