2016 Disability Awareness Week

Mr. Heyn Revere High School Week of January 18

There are many types of disabilities.

Some disabilities can be seen, others cannot.

Disabilities might include:

Vision, hearing, or speech

Physical disabilities

Mental disabilities

Emotional disabilities

Health disabilities

Visual Perception Activities

People are not always as they seem—do not judge or underestimate those with disabilities

Our thoughts/opinions/feelings about things are influenced by our perception.

The following pictures demonstrate that things are not always what they seem to be.

Circles out or in?

What is the object?

Which orange circle is bigger?

Do you see an Eskimo or a

Native American?

Believe it or not, the "green" and "blue" colors in this spiral are exactly the same.

They appear different because of the way our eyes perceive them in relation to the

contrasting orange and pink stripes. Our eyes contain millions of 'cones' which

decode light wavelengths to determine colors. When certain colors are combined,

our brain is unable to process the information properly.

5 Key Concepts of Awareness A survey was done and it overwhelming found that kids lack accurate information about disabilities. This information deficit hampers their understanding not only of disabilities but also of people with disabilities. The survey found that interviewees identified five important concepts about disabilities:

Concept #1: Awareness • Younger interviewees with disabilities believed that people make fun of people with disabilities because they are

“uninformed.” Many of our interviewees told us they didn’t have enough information about disabilities. When they first met someone with a disability, few of them were encouraged to ask questions or talk about it.

Concept #2: Similarity • A quarter of our interviewees told us that a disabilities awareness program should emphasize similarities among all

students and help students focus on how much we all have in common.

Concept #3: Acceptance • More than 20 percent of our interviewees told us that a disabilities awareness program should focus on increasing

student acceptance and fostering more positive attitudes toward one another.

Concept #4: Uniqueness • Our interviewees suggested students should take a look at how disability makes us unique. Students with

disabilities are members of a diverse school community.

Concept #5: Inclusion • Interviewees reported that emphasizing the concepts of similarity, acceptance and uniqueness would lead to more

opportunities for students with disability to be included. Nearly 10 percent of them suggested an emphasis on the concept of inclusion. A discussion of what inclusion means to the education of all students would be an effective way to conclude a disabilities awareness program.

Instead of … Say…

The disabled; handicapped; crippled Person with a disability

The blind Person with a visual impairment

The deaf; deaf and dumb Person with a hearing impairment

Crazy; psycho Person with mental illness

Retarded; mentally defective Person with an intellectual disability

Confined or restricted to a wheelchair; wheelchair bound

Person who uses a wheelchair

Cripple; lame; handicapped; deformed Person with a physical disability

Autistic Person with autism

Dwarf or midget A little person

Normal or healthy Person without disabilities

Handicapped Parking Accessible Parking

Handicapped Room Accessible Room

“People-First” Language

People First Language……

Put the person before the disability

Just because a person has one disability doesn’t mean they have another

Interacting with People with Disabilities

Top 5 Things to Consider

Ask before you help • People desire to be independent and treated with respect

Be sensitive about physical contact • People depend on their arms for balance, consider equipment

part of their personal space

Think before you speak • Speak directly to the person

Don’t make assumptions • People are the best judge of what they can or cannot do

Respond graciously to requests • An accommodation is not a complaint

General Points When Interacting with People with Disabilities

1. Always put the person before the disability! It is important to say… “he/she uses a wheel chair” not “confined to a wheelchair” “a person who has epilepsy” not “an epileptic”.

2. Use the term “person with a disability”. “Disability” means that an individual is limited in one’s ability to do an activity. “Handicap” is a barrier that limits a person’s

opportunity to participate in society.

3. Offer people with disabilities the same choices as you would anyone else. People with visible and

invisible disabilities have the right to fully participate in the community.

4. All people are unique. Individuals all have unique things they can and cannot do.

5. Offer assistance when it appears to be required, but do not insist on helping if the individual refuses your offer.

6. Consider barriers that make it difficult for people to participate.

7. Assistive devices, such as crutches and wheelchairs, are necessary for individuals with disabilities. Don’t remove them from someone unless they have instructed you to do so.

8. Speak to the person with the disability, not to a friend or attendant.

9. Treat people with disabilities as you yourself would like to be treated. Dignity, respect and common sense are very important!

Interacting with People with Dexterity/Mobility Disabilities

Place yourself at eye level when communicating

Do not lean on their wheelchair or assistive device or ask them to hold items (coat, umbrella, etc.)

Don’t push or touch their wheelchair (personal space)

Keep ramps and wheelchair accessible doors unlocked and unblocked

Don’t grab the arm of someone using canes or crutches (lose balance)

Interacting with People who are Blind/Low Vision

Identify yourself before making physical contact (entering and leaving a room)

Provide a tour of a new facility (new employee)

Describe setting, environment, obstacles when en route

Don’t grab their arm to guide them

Offer your arm or shoulder if they need guidance

Don’t pet their guide dog without asking them first

Offer to read information

Interacting with People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Utilize a sign language interpreter or write things down

Look directly at the person not the interpreter

Do not obstruct view of mouth when speaking

Speak clearly and at a normal pace

Recognize the use of assistive listening devices

Do not shout or exaggerate speech

Interacting with People with Speech Disabilities

Give person full attention

Don’t interrupt or finish sentences

Ask for clarification if person is misunderstood

Repeat them for verification

Ask them to write it down

Move to a quieter environment

Overcoming Disabilities

Overcoming Disabilities

IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY: The skies the limit! From being an athlete, to an actor, to a physicist, to the president—don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can not do!

“People living with a disability are experts at overcoming obstacles, and it will show in their dedication to their work”—Justin Farley

IF YOU DON’T HAVE A DISABILITY: Be an encourager, not a discourager!

Those that overcome disabilities recall two types of people: 1) those that brought them down by making fun of them or focusing on their disability; and 2) those that encouraged them and focused on their strengths—which type of person do you aspire to be?

Overcoming Disabilities Jim Abbott: Born without his right hand—Professional Baseball Player (1988

Olympic Gold Medal, 10 season in MLB, no-hitter vs. Cleveland Indians in 1993. David Beckham: OCD—profession soccer player (Premier league player and MLS

player along with long standing captain for the British national team) Tom Cruise: Dyslexia—professional actor (Top Gun, Days of Thunder, Rain

Man, Far and Away, A Few Good Men, Mission Impossible, etc.) Peter Falk: One eye (tumor resulted in a glass eye)—professional actor

(Columbo, voice of Don Fienberg in Shark Tale, etc. Michael J. Fox: Parkinson’s Disease—professional actor (Family Ties, Spin City,

Back to the Future, etc.) Stephen Hawking: ALS also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease— theoretical

physicist and author Marlee Matlin: Deaf—actor (stand-up comedian and Academy Award winning

actress (Dead Silence, It's My Party, Hear No Evil, Bridge to Silence, Walker, and Children of A Lesser God)

Franklin Roosevelt: Polio—32nd President of the United States Stevie Wonder: Blind—musician (30 U.S. top ten hits, including his singles

“Superstition,” “Sir Duke” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You.”) Anthony Robles: Born with right leg—Wrestler (Won the 211 NCAA 125-pound

Championship)

Overcoming Disabilities

Jim Abbott David Beckham Stephen Hawking FDR

Stevie Wonder Peter Falk Tom Cruise Marlee Matlin Anthony Robles

Student Awareness Activities

Pictures

Don’t Look Down: A Student

participates in the “Mirror Maze”

activity. This activity, which simulates

dyslexia, requires students to complete

a maze by only looking at the maze’s

reflection in a mirror.

Negotiating the School: Students

participate in the “Wheelchair

Challenge” activity as they attempt to

wheel around the school with two books

stacked on their lap. The must maneuver

the school and each time a book falls,

students must pick it up without rising

out of the chair or moving their feet.

Blindfolded Lunch: Students with a

partner to assist will get blind folded

prior to entering the cafeteria and have

their entire lunch blindfolded.

Wheel Chair Basketball Game:

Organize a wheel chair basketball game.

Bring in a kids team to play the staff!

STUDENT ANSWERS:

Make people aware of disabilities

Raise awareness of the different disabilities

Help those with disabilities

Etc.

What is the reason for Disability Awareness Week?

UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE So no letter like this ever his to be written by

someone in our community!

Having awareness of, become accepting of, and including those with disabilities is a tremendous thing in itself, but if you want to do more: Help the parents and school plan for next year’s Disability Awareness Week—involve student council,

class councils, national honors society, sports teams, etc. Make a donation or create a fundraising to donate to a charity that caters to the needs of the disabled.

These charities put a lot of focus on creating awareness about the importance of caring for the disabled and making a donation to these charities can help advance that program of awareness. If you need to cut your personal budget on hair moisturizer, then go ahead as long as it is for a great cause.

VOLUNTEER—give your time to organizations that assist those with a disability. All Star Training Club: www.allstartrainingclub.org Special Olympics: www.sooh.org Milestones: http://milestones.org Hope Homes: www.hopehomes.org Etc.

Take advantage of programs from other big companies that promise donations for people the disabilities if you purchase their products. A great example of this surfaced some years back when Coca Cola promised to donate wheelchairs to charities if customers bring back in the pop-out tab from their Coke cans. You only need to look hard and be willing to take advantage of these programs so you can extend help to the disabled community.

The truth of the matter is to understand that people with disabilities don’t need pity or to be shown sadness at their plight. Just acknowledge and show that you understand the challenges they are facing and you are willing to support their cause by extending help wherever you can.

Inspired?...Want to do more?

Disability Awareness Week Examples and Resources

2016 Disability Awareness Week Examples Monday:

NO SCHOOL

Tuesday:

Understanding Disability Awareness

A Brother's Devotion to His Special Needs Sister Will Break You Down Into Tears (2:25)

Brother's devotion to his sister, who has spinal muscular atrophy, is inspiring and eye opening

Noah Van Vooren—Waterboy Scores Touchdown

Noah, young man with Down Syndrome, scores a touchdown

Wednesday:

International Day of Acceptance

Sensor Disability Awareness (3:29)

Being aware of those with sensor disabilities

A Quarterback's Protection: The Chy Johnson Story

Chy Johnson was getting picked on until the QB and entire football team stepped in

NOTE: Occurred during season, team went on to win their first and only state championship

Thursday:

Interacting with People that have a Disability

Like Everyone Else (4:00)

Dartanyon Crocket and Leroy Sutton

Two Cleveland High School Wrestlers Compliment each other’s Disabilities

Friday:

Impact Here at Revere

Living and Overcoming Disability (3:21)

2015 Disability Awareness Week Examples

Monday:

Jmac—ESPN

Autistic HS basketball manager who scored 20 points on senior night

Patrick Henry Hughes

Blind and wheelchair stricken boy in University of Louisville Marching Band

Tuesday:

Noah Van Vooren—Waterboy Scores Touchdown

Noah, young man with Down Syndrome, scores a touchdown

Blind Girl Sings National Anthem

Marlana VanHoose, 16, is blind because of a virus she was born with, but she was also born with an amazing voice

Wednesday:

A Quarterback's Protection: The Chy Johnson Story

Chy Johnson was getting picked on until the QB and entire football team stepped in

NOTE: Occurred during season, team went on to win their first and only state championship

Thursday:

Dartanyon Crocket and Leroy Sutton

Two Cleveland High School Wrestlers Compliment each other’s Disabilities

Friday:

A Brother's Devotion to His Special Needs Sister Will Break You Down Into Tears

Brother's devotion to his sister, who has spinal muscular atrophy, is inspiring and eye opening

Disability Awareness Week Resources Hillcrest/Bath

Don’t Limit Me (for teachers only)—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOwDfnoek6E Discovering the Truth with Tanner DeMita (Stow-Munroe Falls High School Senior with Autism)--

http://vimeo.com/114734482 You can learn anything video (Dr. Kahn - Kahn's Academy)—

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC82Il2cjqA&noredirect=1 Down Syndrome, You are Beautiful Just the way you are. Brother sings about his young sister—

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzzfG1Ku5LU&feature=em-share_video_user Understanding Deafness—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_EmsguJMic&feature=em-share_video_user Katie’s Disability Awareness video (2:57) Teachers will need to read the words to children at Hillcrest- moves fast—

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0fs9650Vz8 Talk to Me- Physical Disabilities (Awesome Video)!!!—www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL8GMxRW_5Y Like Everyone Else - Down Syndrome & Autism (Awesome)—www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2PIizndq-g Lindsay Cochran- her brother talks about how he supports her and loves her MD—

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffaXGIcI3q0 ABC Sign Language—www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCb7yaK1-q4&feature=em-

share_video_in_list_user&list=PLzTavBwnsz08BXdJXK0N3LBmUxVhZTssG My Sibs—www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyOixKJJeXY&feature=em-share_video_user Do You Want to Build a Snowman American Sign Language—www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is98LVi0KYg Prosthetics in Kids- (dad in video is a Revere grad)—www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWbqV112PtY Girl with Prosthetic leg-- Awesome & Inspiring (6 yrs. old)—www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsOGIdep-aQ A Blind Child- Her family’s Story—www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZu1CwSfm0g

Disability Awareness Week Resources RMS/RHS

Don’t Limit Me (for teachers only)—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOwDfnoek6E Discovering the Truth with Tanner DeMita (Stow-Munroe Falls High School Senior with Autism)--http://vimeo.com/114734482 Down Syndrome- More a Like than Different—www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg2ZBPw2LyE&feature=em-share_video_user Down Syndrome Video 2- More alike than different—www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cA3t1HW1Ow&feature=em-share_video_user Against All Odds- Cerebral Palsy—www.youtube.com/watch?v=srN4g0lKGS8&feature=em-share_video_user Living in a Seeing Word—www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv3iI5f7CM4&feature=em-share_video_user Baggage: A Documentary on Disabilities and Disorders (done by a high school student)—

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVPh8ul_trY&feature=em-share_video_user Living with a Visual Disability—www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFGRE7U84M0&feature=em-share_video_in_list_user&list=PL-

u_LvTBjntGthMvPYQAE5kE7-X6n2srP Talk To Me- Physical Disabilities—www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL8GMxRW_5Y Disability Awareness—www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJssu_PAw4w Like Everyone Else- Down Syndrome & Autism—www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2PIizndq-g Autism: Acceptance & Awareness—www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUwAxEJFK6Q Learning Disabilities (highlights famous people who have dyslexia)—www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_0merL0w_s Lindsay Cochran- her brother talks about how he supports her and loves her MD—www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffaXGIcI3q0 Brittany’s Homecoming (SMA and her friends talking about her awesomeness)—www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bgXrmbZweg My Sibs—www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyOixKJJeXY&feature=em-share_video_user Owl City Fireflies- American Sign Language—

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxPp0vAniY&index=4&list=PLzTavBwnsz08BXdJXK0N3LBmUxVhZTssG Two Successful Cleveland Wrestlers- friendship and support—www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlKjRdTCKwc Prosthetics in Kids- (dad in video is Revere grad)—www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWbqV112PtY Living with My Disability- My Story—www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSf1QXNLOlw