What's New at Together We Rock!
The What’s New at Together We Rock! page provides information on upcoming events, activities, resources and ideas to build communities that are accessible to and inclusive of people with a disability. Please feel free to share your ideas and resources with us for posting on What’s New.
January 31, 2012
Living with Schizophrenia is a 25 minute documentary about Schizophrenia. In this documentary stigmas and stereotypes often associated with the illness are exposed and challenged. A number of medical experts share their opinions and experiences working with patients who have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Three adults who have Schizophrenia, as well as a few of their family members, also share their stories and experiences in this film.
Ashley, now a Peer Mentor, discusses many of the challenges she faced leading up to her diagnosis with Schizophrenia. Similarly, Josh, who is now a Peer Counsellor, reflects on his early experiences with Schizophrenia and the challenges that came with acknowledging the fact that he had a mental disability. Rebecca, a writer, discusses the first time she realized she had Schizophrenia and the barriers she faced. However, after receiving the proper support and medical assistance all three of these adults were able to set and achieve goals and are now sharing their stories to help raise awareness and challenge stigmas. All three of these stories demonstrate that Schizophrenia does not inhibit people from living meaningful lives when they are given the proper medical and social support systems.
While this documentary starts by exploring the challenges that Ashley, Josh, and Rebecca faced when they were first diagnosed with Schizophrenia, this is a story of hope and promise. By addressing negative stigmas and sharing stories of success, Living with Schizophrenia works to break down attitudinal barriers that restrict people with mental disabilities from fully participating in society.
To view this documentary for free visit, http://www.choicesinrecovery.com/about/documentary.
January 31, 2012
The language we use to describe, address, or categorize individuals or groups of people often contribute to, or are associated with, negative stereotypes. In hopes of raising awareness and inspiring people to use equitable and inclusive language, the Durham District School Board has created a resource called Guidelines for Inclusive Language.
This document is a great resource because it provides explicit examples of inclusive and non-inclusive language, encouraging people to think twice before using certain phrases that categorize and stereotype groups of people. While this document was created by the Durham District School Board it is not only useful for educators and students. Guidelines for Inclusive Language is useful for anyone interested in learning more about the importance of inclusive language. This resource is also valuable for individuals who would like to become more equitable communicators in their everyday and professional encounters.
To read this document click on Equity and Inclusive Education, foundunder the Programs sidebar at http://ddsb.durham.edu.on.ca.
January 31, 2012
Community Living Ontario is presenting a conference called Commence 2012 – Celebrating Your Past. Creating Your Future. on February 8 – 9, 2012 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North in Richmond Hill. An emphasis will be placed on strategies and attitudes that help youth with intellectual disabilities and their families set goals for their future, encouraging them to continue using their talents and abilities to participate in and contribute to society.
Parents, students, and educators are invited to attend this conference. Participants can expect to hear from a number of guest speakers. Author Kathie Snow, Micah Fialka-Feldman, CEO Jeff Strully, and Paul Young will be in attendance, sharing their perspectives on the importance of building meaningful futures for youth with disabilities after high school. All four of these guest speakers have spent much of their careers studying and/or advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities in society.
To learn more information about this conference or to sign up to attend this Community Living Ontario event visit, http://www.communitylivingontario.ca/news-events.
January 31, 2012
The transition from school to career life can often seem like an overwhelming task for youth. However, with the right resources, strategies, and support, the path towards employment can be exciting and create opportunities for new relationships and independence. On March 20th, 2012 the 90 minute online webinar, Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Careers After School, invites people to learn more about the progression from school to career life for people with disabilities.
People with disabilities, caregivers, parents, and/or teachers are invited to participate in the webinar to learn more about how to obtain employment and begin a career. David Brewer and Nancy A. Hinkley, program teaching staff with Cornell University’s Employment and Disability Institute, and Arun Karpur, a medical doctor from India with a Master’s degree in Public Health, will be presenting during this webinar.
Videos will be shown of successful practices, giving viewers the opportunity to see some of the concepts discussed in action. These strategies will have an international focus, making this webinar culturally relevant for people with disabilities living outside of America. After viewing, participants will leave with a number of strategies and suggestions that will help them obtain, maintain, and progress in their chosen careers. Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Careers After School takes into consideration that the job market and employment opportunities are ever changing.
For more information visit http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/gladnet/events.cfmor email Maria Hopko at msh46@cornell.edu.
January 31, 2012
This resource guide titled “On My Own” was created to help assist people with disabilities who, are deciding or have decided to live independently for the first time. Through an extensive questionnaire, author Sean Miller worked with an advisory committee of people with disabilities who have already experienced this transition to help create this resource.
On My Own provides strategies, handy tricks, and advice in numerous categories. It explores a number of topics, from something as complex as the decision and readiness to live independently to quick and easy tricks on how to do laundry. This resource guide covers some challenges people experience when they first live on their own. Topics like loneliness and safety are explored with a number of strategies that make the transition from living with people to living independently easier.
To learn more about this resource guide or to purchase search the title at www.google.com.
January 26, 2012
Community Living BC has created a website that advocates for the inclusion and safety of people with developmental disabilities into community life. Start With Hi is an initiative that was inspired by the suggestion that something as simple as smiling and saying “Hi” can start the process of inclusion, ensuring that people with developmental disabilities feel welcomed and acknowledged in their communities. Community Living BC also suggest that simply saying “Hi” can reduce the vulnerability of people with developmental disabilities, giving them reassurance that if ever find themselves in an unsafe situation, members of the community are there to support them. Start With Hi creates interaction between readers by encouraging community members to post personal stories, highlighting the impact just saying “Hi” has had on their relationships and community encounters.
A simple notion, like smiling or saying “Hi”, is a practice that will help spark the path towards inclusion and community. The thinking behind Start With Hi can be applied to everyday encounters with people of all abilities and could lead the way towards welcoming and inclusive communities.
To learn more about this initiative visit www.startwithhi.ca
January 26, 2012
Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is a not-for-profit multimedia organization. This organization works to make media accessible to all Canadians. AMI has two broadcast services, VoicePrint and The Accessible Channel –TACtv, and one website service, www.ami.ca. All three of these services strive to make the media accessible, with a focus on assisting people with disabilities.
The TACtv service was created in hopes of providing Canadians with access to popular movies and TV shows through the use of open described video and closed captioning. TACtv provides some of its broadcasting in French but is primarily an English language initiative.
VoicePrint is a broadcast reading service. Volunteers and staff members read and record current articles which are then broadcast onto TV. Readings of articles under the following categories are usually broadcast for 30min increments:
- Headline News
- Business
- Sports
- Health and Science
- Lifestyles and Leisure
- Regional News
AMI Website Service: ami.ca, provides readers with a number of links, giving more information on Accessible Media Inc. and its efforts to make media accessible. This website has a number of options that make it accessible to its viewers. When visiting the website, viewers are invited to modify the site in the following ways: text size, colour, screen size, style sheets, and Speech Browsers.
To learn more about AMI and its broadcast and website services visit, www.ami.ca
January 26, 2012
Disability Awards is a website that lists numerous awards, bursaries, grants, and scholarships that are available to students with disabilities studying, or planning to study, at Canadian colleges and universities. The search database on this website allows students to identify their school of study, the province they attend school, and/or their disability in order to refine their search, receiving information on applications that pertain to their individual circumstances.
Disability Awards makes searching for funding and award opportunities easy with a database that has clear and simple to follow categories and an option for students to create an online profile. With this profile, students can receive automatic emails from Disability Awards. These emails outline new scholarships, awards, bursaries, and grants that pertain specifically to the student’s profile. This approach ensures that students are quickly aware of opportunities they are eligible to apply for, giving them notice to prepare any application information needed.
Disability Awards also lists scholarships, bursaries, and awards that are presented by non-governmental organizations, and the public sector. Information on federal and provincial grant and loan programs are also featured on the website portal.
To search for opportunities or to learn more information about Disability Award visit: www.disabilitiyawards.ca
January 23, 2012
Education for All: The Report of the Expert Panel on Literacy and Numeracy Instruction for Students with Special Education Needs, Kindergarten to Grade 6The Ministry of Education of the province of Ontario published Education for All to recommend practices and strategies to educators of students with diverse education needs from Kindergarten to Grade 6. While this document was created specifically for students with disabilities the practices and strategies are beneficial for learners of all abilities. This document was founded on a number of inclusive beliefs. Perhaps the most important belief that inspired this document is the notion that all students can succeed!
The Education for All report is divided into a number of categories. These categories make searching for information quick and easy. The online version of this document also makes reading this document accessible and convenient for educators, caregivers, and guardians. The categories are as follows:
- Introduction
- Planning for Inclusion: Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction
- Assessment and Evaluation of Students With Special Education Needs
- Developing Learning Profiles: Know Your Students
- Professional Learning Communities
- Research To Practice: What Works For Both Literacy and Numeracy
- Effective Instructional Approaches and Teaching Strategies for Numeracy
- Effective Instructional Approaches and teaching Strategies for Literacy
- Organization and Management
- Computer-Based Assistive Technology
- Professional Development
This resource encourages educators and administrators to create inclusive and accessible classrooms. Implementing the strategies in this document will not only help students with a learning disability achieve success, but will benefit all learners by creating opportunities for all students to learn and grow together.
To view the Education for All report, please visit: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/reports/speced/panel/speced.pdf.
January 23, 2012
Dr. Tomlinson has spent much of her professional career researching and studying the benefits of differentiated instruction on students. Dr. Tomlinson believes that since all students have different experiences, access the curriculum in a variety of ways, and start the learning process at different stages, it is important for teachers to create a classroom environment that is accessible to and inclusive of all learners. According to Dr. Tomlinson, differentiated instruction creates inclusion and allows every student to build confidence, learn, and develop.
All students learn, think, and develop differently. Differentiation was created to help support students and teachers, giving strategies, resources, and practices that allow educators to provide all students with the opportunity to access the curriculum. Creating choice, multiple entry points, and open ended questions is at the root of differentiation. Dr. Tomlinson’s books, articles, and presentations share examples of differentiation at work in the classroom. Here, a number of educators are celebrated by Dr. Tomlinson. Like inclusive education, differentiated instruction is an integral part of the learning process. Dr. Tomlinson encourages educators to differentiate their planning, instruction, and assessment practices.
Dr. Tomlinson has a website where, more information about her books, articles, presentations, and other resources can be found.
To learn more visit www.caroltomlinson.com.
January 23, 2012
Exceptional Parent is an initiative of publishing and communications company – EP Global Communication Inc. Exceptional parent strives to provide parents, teachers, health professionals, and the general public with information and resources to help establish equality for people with disabilities. Exceptional Parent has a number of resources that can be accessed directly online, making information readily accessible to individuals interested in learning more about inclusive practices.
Their website is divided into a number of different categories that make searching for information easy. Here, examples of celebrated and questionable practices involving people with disabilities are explored. The categories are as follows:
- Education
- Family and Community
- Financial Planning
- Healthcare
- Investor Relations
- Legal
- Military
- Mobility
- Professional
- Sports and Recreation
- Technology
A link to the Exceptional Parent Magazine is also available where recent issues and an online archive can be accessed directly from the website.
To learn more about Exceptional Parent or to subscribe to their magazine visit www.eparent.com.
January 23, 2012
Toby Karten is the Director of Tamika Educational Products. She has written a number of best selling books and has led a number of workshops that help teachers, parents, and students create inclusive learning environments. Karten states that Inclusion in education is a lifestyle that teachers need to embed in their students experiences. She believes that students should have the opportunity to collaborate, work together, and teach one another.
Toby Karten’s workshops and educational resources help teachers striving to create inclusion in their classrooms achieve this reality. Karten’s work highlights the notion that students of all abilities benefit from inclusive classrooms. Ensuring that all students achieve success and are given essential learning, social, and interactive skills is at the forefront of Karten’s research. The three books that Karten is most celebrated for focus on inclusion strategies in the classroom, providing teachers with numerous opportunities to make inclusion an integral part of teaching.
Toby Karten’s Best Selling Books on Inclusion:
- Inclusion Strategies and Interventions
- Inclusion Strategies That Work!
- Inclusion Lesson Plan Book for the 21st Century
While these books include lesson plans and strategies for teachers to implement in a classroom setting, caregivers and parents can adapt these strategies to utilize at home.
To find more information on the work of Toby Karten or to view a list of her books and workshops visit www.inclusionworkshops.com
January 23, 2012
Kathie Snow is the author of the article To ensure inclusion, freedom, and respect for all, it’s time to embrace People First Language. In this article, she highlights the importance of respectful language when talking to and about people with disabilities. Snow argues that people should not be defined by their disability. Their disability is only a characteristic. Since this one characteristic does not define or represent the entire individual with a disability, than our language should be reflective of that reality.
This article explores the notion that all people, with and without disabilities, are unique and have different characteristics. As such, defining some individuals by their unique characteristics feed into negative stereotypes that portray people with disabilities are unable, weak, and in special need. Kathie Snow suggests that positive language creates positive opportunities.
Using people first language is a key component for achieving inclusion and accessibility!
To read Kathie Snow’s article visit
http://www.acdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/People_First_Language.pdf.
January 23, 2012
Dr. Marian Small is the author of a number of books that are designed to help educators teach math effectively. In 2009 she wrote the book, Good Questions: Great Ways to Differentiate Mathematics Instruction. This book outlines a number of practices and strategies that help make math accessible to all learners. The importance of asking “good” math questions is highlighted in this resource. Dr. Small argues that asking good questions creates multiple entry and end points for learning to take place.
TheGood Questions book contains almost 300 ready-to-use math questions from every strand of the curriculum. These questions can be used or adapted by educators to help create inclusive and accessible classrooms.
Marian Small is also known for her book Making Math Meaningful. This resource was created for students in Kindergarten-Grade 8. Once again, Dr. Small highlights the notion that all students can love and learn math successfully when they are given ample learning opportunities through appropriate instruction.
To read more or to purchase books by Marian Small visit your local library or go to www.amazon.ca.
Click here to read past articles in our What's New Archive.
