The Case for Inclusion Part 3: Sea Change
The longer there is a strong distinction between general and special education the worse it is for students who are labeled with a disability. It perpetuates the language of Us and Them...
The longer there is a strong distinction between general and special education the worse it is for students who are labeled with a disability. It perpetuates the language of Us and Them...
Autistic advocate and poet Amy Sequenzia's message of acceptance and respect for young autistics for 2012 Autistics Speaking Day. "There is nothing wrong with being who you are. You are perfect in your uniqueness."
We hope that young autistics today will be proud of themselves and without shame. The message that boy received at that moment was the opposite of acceptance. It was ableist and it came from someone who is part of our own community.
Inclusive schools need to become a reality for all students
It should always be the objective of public education to serve all students no matter what their disability label. It should always be the objective to give the right amount of support for all children.
You look at me But you don’t see me You
What Henry is doing is advocating for his rights, at the same time that he reminds us of our own rights and about how far we still have to go.
No one wants to be the excluded one, the one to stand alone in silence, the one left out of the conversation. No one wants to be forgotten. So why are some individuals treated this way? Luckily it just takes one person to stand up and include, and the rest will follow. Be that person, take a stand, make a difference.
Other people have written better articulated articles about the same things I write in this poem. It is hard for me to elaborate beyond the words in the poem. It could have easily been me in some cases, it can happen to any of us.
Henry takes his bi-partisan message of inclusion and civil rights for all to the Republican National Convention.
One of Ollibean's contributors, the lovely and amazing, Julie Lohoefener of Bloom Garden Shop, let's us in on some great tips on creating a non-toxic Sensory Garden with your kids.
It is a mistaken idea that we, autistics, lack empathy. It is also a myth that we are not social. My friends and I, we understand and respect differences. And we understand that we all have a lot to contribute, in a diversity of manners.
Sebastien's Smile was created for the sole purpose of raising awareness for Mitochondrial diseases which affect the Setin's son Sebastien.
Thursday Henry decided he wanted to write something
"Storm" a poem by autistic self-advocate Amy Sequenzia.
Connect and learn with other parents like Tonya who presume competence and celebrate their children for being exactly who they are. #allofakind
Tim Villegas of Think Inclusive on the motivation to change from educating students with disabilities in segregated settings to inclusive settings where all means all.
My hope is that ThinkInclusive.us can create a bridge between educators, parents, and advocates (including self-advocates) to promote ideas, innovation and inspiration to change our world to be more accepting and value each and every human being.
"Presume competence. The same way I want people to assume I am competent, I also assume that others are competent".
Ollibean contributor Kristie Salzer talks about the benefits of "refueling" between lunch and dinner to decrease hunger related meltdowns for kids. We love her suggestions of 25 super easy snacks to get you started!
I am an autistic woman, non-speaking and I have many needs.Yes, dear mainstream media, I am the autistic supposedly too “low-functioning” to deserve to be heard. You pity me and you ignore the facts.
Richard Attfield, a contributing author to "Autism and the Myth of the Person Alone", is passionate about the rights of children with disability labels to have equal access to education and communication supports.
Change you would you like to see in your lifetime? "The end of discrimination towards children/people with disability labels. And the human right of communication implemented fairly. " Richard Attfield
Amy Sequenzia is a poet and autistic self-advocate. Her writing is as beautiful and powerful as she is. She is an extraordinary voice in the disability rights community .
Cool camp for kids with Special Needs. It's free and everybody plays. July 16th through August 2, Monday through Thursday,8am to 10 am, at Palma Ceia Little League, Field C, Tampa Fl.
Why would we separate, segregate and alienate children from one another while at the same time teach them to look after the world around them, respect differences and take a stand at injustice?
Amy Sequenzia writes about rejecting society's many labels. Perceptions such as “super spectacular” autistic and “low-functioning” are equally harmful .
Studies have shown when kids with disabilities are educated in inclusive settings, the classrooms are better for all of the students.
We are very proud to introduce Ollibean Think Tank member, Nicole
"Helping Hands" at Rice University have developed Dino-Might, a controller/game designed for patients with cerebral palsy to use for physical therapy.
We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jedd Hafer, of Love & Logic® and asked him some of our questions. Jed's one of those people that you start talking to and feel like you've known him forever.
Introducing Ollibean Change Leaders - comprised of the most innovative,