Cry Me a River, Katrina Percy. Justice for LB!
I originally wrote this piece for the blog 107daysofaction.wordpress.com. I asked for permission to reprint it to help raise awareness on this side of the Atlantic about the story. If you'd like to get involved with Justice for LB and 107 Days of Action, please click here. I've recently been made aware of the story of the death of a young autistic man in the UK that's not getting any press that I'm aware of in the U.S. or Canada. I'd like to tell you Connor Sparrowhawk's story. Connor Sparrowhawk, known as "Laughing Boy" or "LB" to his friends and
FDA Advisory Panel Recommends Banning Aversive Shock Therapy at the Judge Rotenberg Center
Thursday, April 24, was a day that I'd been waiting for that day for a long time. An FDA advisory panel finally got to thoroughly hear both sides of the story of what goes on at the Judge Rotenberg Center, and to deliberate, based on testimony, whether what happens to the students there needs to be stopped. And they made the right decision. I just hope that they act on it quickly. I found out about the Judge Rotenberg Center by accident two years ago, doing some research for another post on my blog. I came across an article about
Musings from an Autism Outsider – Seeing the Full Spectrum
When I started writing about disabilities, I’d been working with disabled people for over fifteen years. I’d been in schools and agencies as the numbers of autistic people requiring support had started to rise. I’d heard the projections from the experts about how the numbers were going to continue to rise. And, in my most recent job, I’d had to tell several families with autistic teenagers that the agency for which I worked wouldn’t be able to support them, as we only supported individuals with intellectual disabilities. I knew that autism was a spectrum disorder. But I’d really only seen
Autism, Accommodation, and Double Standards
There are some particularly insidious double standards at work here. It's time to put an end to them.
Assigned Friends Outcome
I was taught to say, “Thank you for being my friend.” So I say it. I was told to smile like I mean it. So I smile. I know I am supposed to feel grateful That you are my friend That you took the class On how to be a peer mentor to me – The good friends way – A pal for six weeks You have been defined You are a good person For giving up your spot At the popular kids’ lunch table To earn the community service hours You need for graduation By eating lunch with me,
Out of the Goodness of Your Heart
I have nothing against the goodness in the hearts of other people. However, I would like to explain how it feels to be on the receiving end when I am befriended out of the goodness of your heart. First of all this doesn’t a friendship make because authentic friendships are reciprocal. This means that giving and receiving go both ways. The benefits are mutual. When you befriend me out of the goodness of your heart - and then tell me so - I understand that you are assuming the role of a kind benevolent person while I am perceived as
Real Consequences
Autism Speaks has been hurting autistics for too long. We are fighting back and we are stronger. It is time to say things like they are. This post is because I feel offended by people defending hateful speech.
Supporting United States Ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Why Every Voice Counts!
CALLING ALL SENATORS .It’s time for the U.S. To take their seat at the table In support of global disability rights . RATIFY THE CRPD I have a confession to make: I can only vaguely recall skimming the e-mails that made their way to my inbox in late November and early December last year that called upon the disability community to contact their senators in support of U.S. ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). It's not that I didn't realize the importance; I just thought to myself "Oh, I should help.
All the people saw my intelligence. No test first.
My family saw. I had hopeful times . Tracy invited me home to Vermont to learn . I went to ICI to learn. All the people saw my intelligence . No test first. It was very free. I never had many people understand. To wait. To listen. Not outside home. I did not want to go back to people unknowing. I read more words from typers watching my movie to feel community. Full presentation here
Jobless rate for disabled Americans still high 22 years after landmark law
Twenty-two years after passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, the employment rate for people with disabilities is still dismally low, and advocates want to change that. “The ADA … has made a difference in the lives of people with disabilities … but [for employment] the needle hasn’t moved,” says Helena Berger, executive vice president of the American Association of People with Disabilities in Washington.
Creating Equal Opportunities For ALL Students to Participate in School Athletics
Educators should use the appropriate equipment properly to ensure that physical education programing for students with students with disabilities is safe, effective, and inclusive. EQUIPMENT Appropriate equipment can help children and youth with disabilities participate in appropriate physical activity. Athletic equipment might need to be modified for safe use by some children and youth with disabilities. For other students with disabilities, specialized equipment may be needed. Activities involving the use of modified or specialized equipment can replace other less safe activities. Treadmills, for example, are effective in providing predictable walking and running conditions, which can be necessary and appropriate for
How to Ignore the Media and Learn to Love Autism
Here are some suggestions on how to tune out the media's negativity and learn to love autism: 1) Read Jim Sinclair’s “Don’t Mourn for Us”. 2) Tell your parents, family and friends that are close (maybe even your boss) about your child's diagnosis, as you are going to need support. 3) Let go of any preconceived ideas for birthday parties, trips to the supermarket and vacations. Don’t worry if an event doesn't turn out exactly as planned. Sometimes the unexpected is just as wonderful. 4) Discover what motivates your child and learn as much as you can about those topics.
Having to Prove Competence
But now and then I meet someone who has. They believe they are doing a good thing, a noble thing. They believe they are helping. They believe that the people they are trying to help are living happier lives as a result. They believe this with all their heart. They give words, as though gifts, in grammatically correct sentences, believing people can be trained to say things and do things that will be understood by the majority of the population. They think that if they can force someone to stop moving their hands or legs or twirling bits of string
Closed Captioning Helps All Students
"Not only were students talking about how much having the captions helped them as they took notes, their test scores went up," Collins said. During the first year of a 2-year case study, he showed videos without captions to establish a baseline of student comprehension, then in the second year turned on the captions and began to see improvement in comprehension and grades. "During the baseline year, there were a lot of Cs. In the second years, they went from Cs, Ds and Fs to As, Bs and Cs. It was really significant improvement," he said. "We're living in an
14 Year Old Advocates for His Civil Rights
My name is Christian Ranieri and I am a 9th Grader at Northport High School. You should know that I have a developmental disability called Autism. I have come a long way in life as I could not talk in the beginning but now I am able to express my message to you in words. When I was 5 I cried a lot and would throw myself on the floor when I got frustrated. I am proud to say that now I can speak clearly and to the best of my ability try to deal with my frustration in words.
American Society for Deaf Children
We believe deaf or hard-of-hearing children are entitled to full communication access in their home, school, and community. We also believe that language development, respect for the Deaf, and access to deaf and hard-of-hearing role models are important to assure optimal intellectual, social, and emotional development. We believe that consideration of communication opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing children should be based on facts. Research consistently demonstrates that fluency in sign language and English offers deaf children (including those with cochlear implants) and hard-of-hearing children optimal opportunities for social and academic success, and thus both should be part of their language-rich
Open Letter To Jon Stewart
When I met Jon Stewart I was very disappointed by his lack of knowledge and sensitivity toward autism. During a recent interview, while still a bit condescending, his views seem to have evolved. This is my open letter to him.
Putting Education First by That Crazy Crippled Chick
"First, we must ensure that all children, including and especially those with disabilities, receive a quality education. Inclusion means nothing if a child is not receiving a good education, which is, in fact, the very reason we have schools in the first place. " Cara Liebowitz
How Will the Affordable Care Act Affect People With Disabilities?
The Thinking Person's Guide To Autism interviews Ari Ne'eman of The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network about specific advantages, opportunities, and sticking points of the Affordable Care Act for People with Disabilities
Sign Language Researchers Broaden Science Lexicon
Imagine trying to learn biology without ever using the word “organism.” Or studying to become a botanist when the only way of referring to photosynthesis is to spell the word out, letter by painstaking letter. For deaf students, this game of scientific Password has long been the daily classroom and laboratory experience. Words like “organism” and “photosynthesis” — to say nothing of more obscure and harder-to-spell terms — have no single widely accepted equivalent in sign language. This means that deaf students and their teachers and interpreters must improvise, making it that much harder for the students to excel in
How AAC and assistive tech make classrooms better for all : Paula Kluth
In 2009, I published an article in The Reading Teacher with my colleague, Kelly Chander-Olcott, titled “Why Everyone Benefits from Including Students with Autism in Literacy Classrooms”. One of the points we make in the article is that students with disabilities often bring assistive technology and augmentative communication into classrooms and, therefore, make them richer places to learn. Students with and without disabilities who are in classrooms that use AT and AAC regularly and creatively not only may get access to unique materials, but also get to learn about learning itself. They may be able to generate ideas for using
The AbleGamers Foundation
The AbleGamers Foundation, also known as AbleGamers Charity, is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit public charity that aims to improve the overall quality of life for those with disabilities through the power of video games.Video games allow individuals with disabilities to experience situations that may be difficult or limited in the real world, provide social networking opportunities to maintain mental and emotional health, and participate in one of the world’s largest pastimes. With a three-step approach, AbleGamers works and advocates on behalf of the disability community to increase the accessibility of video games and to achieve further inclusion by those who need
The Reality Behind Those Walls
The Judge Rotenberg Center is recruiting disabled students in the Midwest to be legally tortured with electric shocks. Help us stop this inhumane treatment of disabled people.
We Are Not In Our Own World
We need to be careful about how we think about and talk about people with disabilities. One example is the reference that those who are autistic or deaf or blind or have some sort of movement differences are “in their own world.”
Man with Down Syndrome owns “The World’s Friendliest Restaurant”
Tim Harris has a great deal to be proud of. "Tim The Man" to those who know him, he's accomplished more in his 27 years than some people accomplish in an entire lifetime. A Special Olympian, he has dozens of gold medals. He's lived on a sailboat and is well-known in the Bahamas as an excellent sailor and fisherman. He graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in 2008 with certificates in food service, office skills, and restaurant hosting. He's now living independently, and really enjoying the fact that he can walk to work - the restaurant that he owns is
Being Where I Can Simply Be
After a three-day conference, I needed to sleep. I needed to sleep because I was dreamy, trying to keep the feeling of being in a place where I can be myself and also be a little bit like a star. Also, building community.
Because I Stood With Henry
Because I stood with Henry I am happier today and you should too. Henry not only got his rights, he proved that presumption of competence should be the default for every student.
AAC Helps Learners with Complex Communication Needs Reach Their Full Potential
" A lot of these kids end up not reaching their full potential because they suffer from low expectations. People think they don't speak well, so we shouldn't have them in the regular classroom, but a lot of the kids I work with, they're cognitively fine. They're perfectly capable. They just need a viable means of communication to really help them through that." Cathy Binger
Sarah Hendren Gives Familiar Symbol a New Look
Most people recognize the international symbol for disability: the stick figure seated in a partial circle, drawn in white on a blue background. Many feel that the symbol, which has come to be known as the International Wheelchair Icon, or the International Sign of Access needs a redesign. In 2011, Cambridge, Massachusetts resident Sarah Hendren decided to take on the challenge. “The figure is static, wooden, with the squared-off geometry of machinery. The body is synonymous with the chair,’’ she told The Boston Globe of the current access sign. She also talked about wanting her design to explore ideas of who is
Ariane Zurcher: Non-Speaking Autistic Woman Writes Book
Barb Rentenbach's funny, poignant and beautiful must-read book, I Might Be You: An Exploration of Autism and Connection, is now available as an audiobook.
Hi @KatieCouric I am #autistic & would like to talk to you about #inclusion, #communication & #civilrights #KatieAutismChat
Katie Couric will have a Twitter Chat with Autism Speaks on Wednesday May 29th at 1pm EST . Autistic people should be in the chat. hashtag #KatieAutismChat. This is my message. Hi @katiecouric I am #autistic & would like to talk to you about #inclusion, #communication & #civilrights #KatieAutismChat .
Autistic Hoya: Ordinary Lives
When I demand equal access, equal opportunity, equal rights, I'm not insisting on my superiority, innate or acquired. I don't want special treatment. I want to see the removal of cultural paradigms about what types of bodies and minds should be valued and what types of bodies and minds should be deigned for marginalization. I don't want a world that advantages me over you. I want a world where oppressive systems that ultimately hurt everyone have been overcome, dismantled.
Donna Posont’s “Birding-By-Ear” Course Allows Blind People to “See The Unseen”
Donna Posont is living proof that you don't have to be able to see well to go bird-watching. Donna Posont is a field guide in Michigan who leads a group of blind birdwatchers and helps them recognize birds through sound. / CBS News The Field Services Director for Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, Donna Posont runs a "birding by ear" class in Dearborn, Michigan for people who are blind or who have low vision. Instruction begins inside, where participants memorize bird calls through learning words that have been assigned to birds' chirps and screeches. Armed with a repertoire of bird
Childhood Disability Rate Jumps Over 16% in Last Decade
According to findings presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting, the prevalence of disability in children has jumped more than 16 percent in 10 years. The reason for this rise in disability prevalence is unclear, although, according to Disability Scoop, researchers believe it’s due to “increased diagnosis of neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.” Researchers identified the rise in disability prevalence by comparing data from the National Health Interview Survey collected in 2009-2010 to those collected in 2001-2002. The National Health Interview Survey, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a poll of more than 100,000
Game Changer: Florida Senate Unanimously Passes Special Education Bill
The Florida Senate unanimously passed Bill 1108 on April 29th.
I celebrate 1000 Ausome Things #AutismPositivity2013
People are ausome. Every kind of ausome. just look. you will see.
Dave Jacka: Up, Up and Away!
Dave Jacka just began his quest to become the first quadriplegic to fly solo around Australia. Family and friends saw the 44-year-old Fairfield resident off from the airport in Tooradin, Australia on April 28. A wheelchair user since a car accident 25 years ago, Jacka only has a small amount of control of his shoulder, wrist and bicep. He never gave up on his childhood dream of learning to fly, however, starting lessons with a pilot in 2006. He controls the plane by sucking and blowing into a tube, and makes use of enlarged switches and levers in a modified
Law Would Give Parents Final Say About Special Diploma Track
A proposed law moving quickly through the Legislature would give parents of kids receiving special education services the final say about their child’s placement on a special diploma track.
Standing With Ashley
I stand with Ashley because she is part of our community, she is brave and she survived brutality.I stand with Ashley because I hope to show her, one day, that the joy of belonging to our caring community trumps the memories of pain.
Shouldn’t New Disability Awareness Course Be Mandatory for Police?
Kudos to New York State for making train-the-trainer disability sensitivity training available to its law enforcement officers as of April 2013, with the stipulation that police officers that take the course must take it back to their respective police agencies. But why not make the training mandatory instead of just "available"? The First Responders Disability Awareness Training Course augments the very basic curriculum in disability sensitivity offered to New York state police officers as part of their core training: 14 hours on mental illness, but only two on autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and blindness and deafness , and none on intellectual
Stanford Scientists Demonstrate Brain’s Capacity to Change in Response to Education
"No one is born with the innate ability to recognize numerals."
Wal-Mart Sued for Sexual Harassment & Retaliation of Employee with Developmental Disability
Wal-Mart Stores East, L.P. violated federal law by allowing a male employee at an Akron Walmart store to subject a developmentally disabled female co-worker to sexually inappropriate conduct and then retaliating against her for her opposition
Autistic Hoya: Fighting ableism with ableism doesn’t work
Fighting ableism with ableism doesn't work. In fact, it's just bad policy. Yet that's precisely the tactic that Disability Scoop, "the premier source for developmental disability news," decided to use in its criticism of the latest episode of Glee, in wh
Autism Acceptance- All Created Equal
John Hussman on the MCIE Blog. "And then love them back. Not for who they might have been without autism, or for who they might be if they were “cured,” but as people who need to be nothing other than who they are, to be loved and accepted."
A Generational Shift in Understanding Life With Down Syndrome
"You cannot know if someone else's life is worth living without asking them and without even knowing them."
Congress Changes Special Education Funding Regulations
This month, Congress clarified how states that fail to adequately fund special education services from year to year will be penalized. The changes to IDEA regulations, put forth by the Obama administration, are said have “broad support on Capitol Hill”. Special education funding is governed by “maintenance of effort”, or a regulation stating that funding levels must maintained or increased from one year to the next. States need special permission and a waiver from the federal government to be exempt from meeting maintenance of effort in any given year, or they may find themselves facing serious consequences. South Carolina and
Disabled surfers brave the waves in Brazil
Renata Glasner doing her thing in Brazil.
What Reading Self-Advocate Blogs Does
You can have hope.
People With Locked-In Syndrome Happier Than We Assumed
Locked-in syndrome leaves people awake and aware, but unlikely able to move or talk. But does it leave them unhappy? The largest study of locked-in syndrome to date says, "Not necessarily." Locked-in syndrome is caused by major brain injury, often from some sort of accident. People that have locked-in syndrome are usually totally paralyzed and move their eyes to communicate. It sounds like a very difficult existence, but a "surprising number" of people in the study reported being happy in spite of their disabilities. Researcher Dr. Steven Laureys of Belgium's University of Liege and his colleagues sent a survey to
Sexual Assault and Ableism in Martin de Porres Academy
K.J. told police that she said "No" and "Stop" when the three ninth grade boys sexually assaulted her. She had to be physically assaulted to keep from escaping. But, because K.J. and her attackers were labeled with IQs below 50 the sex is considered "consensual".
‘Autistic People Are’ by Amy Sequenzia
Autistic People Are Awesome! Autistic People are the real experts on autism. Autistic people are not more complicated than non-autistics. Autistic people are misunderstood and mischaracterized by non-autistics. Autistic people are artistic and we don’t need speech to show our talents. Autistic people are your friends your co-workers your children. Autistic people are parents siblings grandparents. Autistic people are not tragedies we are not burdens. Autistic people are not sufferers because of autism we suffer discrimination from non-autistics. Autistic people are “different but not less”. Autistic people are not “Rain
Time for a Paradigm Shift in Special Education
Thomas Armstrong's piece on neurodiversity and education.
Autistic People Should
This is part of "Autistic People Should" flash blog.
Neurodiversity IS the Next Civil Rights Movement
"When we talk about inclusion what we're talking about is diversity." Audra Zucherman, co-founder, The IDEAL School .The IDEAL School practices full inclusion while nurturing their students abilities to create real change in the world through compassion and self- empowerment.
It’s Time to Go Beyond Access
Always Keep in Mind the Learning Goal and Keep the Challenge Where It Belongs
Ten Things I wish My Teacher and SLP Knew about AAC : Pat Mervine
Pat Mervine has a great website and is the author of "How Katie Got a Voice (and a cool new nickname)" . I wish..... the entire team would be trained in how to program and use my AAC system. My "voice" shouldn't be taken away from me just because an adult is absent or busy. Oh, and a good back-up system would be much appreciated for when my device goes down. my AAC device would be charged (if electronic) and positioned for me to use it all times. Other kids can talk all day -- at recess, lunch, on the bus,
Abuse and Cover Up of Students with Special Needs In Ohio
Special Education teacher from Kings Local School District accused of seclusion, restraint, physical abuse , verbal and emotional abuse.
Squag Interview: Architecture For Kids
Sara Winter of Squag™ interviews, Jorge Raedo of Amag . Amag is an architecture magazine for children 5-10 years old. It is a free Open Educational Resource.
Breaking News from Autistic Hoya: The End of Torture at the JRC?
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick filed a motion to vacate (render null) the 1987 settlement agreement that has permitted the Judge Rotenberg Center to use aversives, including the notorious electric shock GED devices.
I Feel Tired
Some parents understand that autism is a natural part of some children’s lives and they fight the societal attitudes toward autistics. That’s love. Some parents don’t, and they fight, and hurt, their own children. This is not love and is one of the things that make me very tired.
Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)
Great video on Kathleen McClaskey's Scoop It site, UDL- Universal Design for Learning about accessible instructional materials.
Autism Acceptance – Leading the Conversation
I want to talk about Autism Acceptance again. I want to talk about Autism Acceptance because soon we will be, again, referred to as tragedies, burdens, afflictions. This will go on, more than usual, for the whole month of April. April is the month chosen
Jennifer Byde Myers: Autism and the Quest for Knowledge
Great post by Jennifer Byde Myers at jennyalice.com. Jack doesn’t fit the mold. Not the mold for a typical kid, not the one for cerebral palsy, not autism, not ADHD. Whenever we try to "box him up", another piece of him pops out, unexplainable by a typical convention.
When Autistics Grade Other Autistics
“If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree…”We know how functioning labels are not helpful, despite being largely used by neurotypicals. But some autistics also grade members of our community and I want to understand why.
Exploring Empathy
What is this ability to step into someone else’s shoes? To imagine how they feel - and to hurt for them or be happy for them? Host Frank Stasio is joined by a panel of experts to discuss empathy, the trait that makes us uniquely human. Lasana Harris is an assistant professor in psychology and neuroscience at Duke University; Jesse Prinz is a Distinguished Professor of philosophy at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York; Pate Skene is an associate professor of neurobiology at Duke University and a second year law student; and Ralph Savarese is an
The Inclusive Education of Adults with Autism
This week on The Inclusive Class Podcast, we will be talking about educating adult students with autism. To lead our discussion, will be expert guest, Rhonda Greenhaw. Rhonda J. Greenhaw, MA, BCBA, is a leading clinician and researcher in the field of au
Lawsuit Says Special Needs Student Raped in NYC-area Classroom
A 15 year old special education student was gang-raped in class while a lesson was going on, according to allegations by her mother. The girl attended the Martin De Porres Academy in Elmont, New York, a community on Long Island, and the incident supposed
Team Long Brothers SI Kids SportsKids of the Year
"Maybe people that don't care in the past will care in the future ." Conner Long
Social Model of Disability
Great animated short on the social model of disability. What are your thoughts?
Labels
I am autistic. I choose to use this because of community. Not to tell you what I am or what I am not. This is my choice.
I Am Autistic and I Know What Autism Is
Autism is not a set of deficits. Autism is complex and all of us can self-advocate despite the difficulties we might face. Autism is life. I am Autistic, I self-advocate and I am happy.
Christmas Wish for Children and Teachers of Sandy Hook
We wanted to do something that would specifically honor some of the passions and characteristics the victims families described.
30 Ways to Support Sandy Hook Families Now
The victims and families have been and will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. We've compiled a list of the ways to honor and remember these children and adults who were taken far too early. Remember. Honor. Celebrate. The children and teachers of Sandy Hook. Josephine Gay, 6 Donations may be made to Joey’s Fund in her name through the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. The proceeds of this fund will help families raising autistic children. Daniel Barden, 6 Donations may be made to Sandy Hook School Support Fund, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main
My Top Ten
These are the top 10, now top 18 things I need for teachers, therapists, doctors, friends and family to know.
Happiness is Fireflies
This very sweet video, 'Fireflies' by The Jubilee Project is about two kids that connect in a beautiful way.
Changing the Paradigm
Sir Ken Robinson on education reform. "Changing Paradigms in Public Education" covers the importance of thinking differently about human capacity , recognizing the benefits of collaborative learning, and changing the culture of our institutions.
Stephen Wiltshire
We are huge fans of the extraordinarily talented Stephen Wiltshire. Stephen Wiltshire - An Introduction Time lapse of Brisbane Panorama by Stephen Wiltshire
UNH IOD Standing With Henry
But after watching Wretches and Jabberers, a film about autism and self-advocacy, Henry’s way of interacting with the world changed radically. He realized that he had a voice, could use it, and had a right to participate in discussions about his education and life.
Alexis Clarkson: OlliNepal
We should all strive to see the beauty and potential in everything, and everyone, and to me, that is inclusion. "
Ollibean: All of a kind
The faces of Ollibean are kids with and without disabilities all trying to make the world a better place.
I Am
How do you talk to someone who uses AAC?
Autistic Student Wins the Right to Go to School
Henry Frost had a pretty simple goal: he wanted to go to school like any other kid.
Emily Willingham “Autism Bingo: The Congressional Hearing Version”
Our science editor Emily Willingham live-tweeted Thursday's Congressional autism hearing from the perspective of a scientist, autism parent, critical thinker, and human. She Storified and annotated the experience, turning offensive keywords and laughable
Autism on CSPAN Washington Journal
Hi. My name is Henry Frost. I am a 13 year old Autistic self advocate. I agree with Ari Ne'eman. This is a civil rights issue. Communication and inclusion are basic civil rights. I made this video about civil rights. I made a FB page and petition so I could go to school in my neighborhood. Ari and ASAN helped me advocate. http://www.facebook.com/IStandWithHenry , change.org/henry People all over the world wrote this is a civil right. We want the same things in life. We are not so different. Please watch to understand how much we need support for
Inclusion in Tampa
' With a little help from his friends'. Henry's inclusion is truly a group effort led by this determined 13 year old self advocate .
After student’s death, Hillsborough school’s ESE aides could not recall missing-child training
Hillsborough County school district investigates a student's death last month at Rodgers Middle School, issues are emerging that go beyond the five suspended special education employees and even their Riverview school. It is unclear if the workers, who earn as little as $11,000 a year and are now on paid leave, were trained in how to react when a student goes missing. Read more from Tampa Bay Times, Marlene Sokol
School board wants answers in wake of student’s death
Two separate investigations are now going on in the Hillsborough School District.
Amy Sequenzia: I, Too, Want to Understand.
Why would a parent of an autistic child decide that it is better not to listen to other autistics? Why? I, Too, Want to Understand.
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...
Paula Kluth on The Inclusive Class Roundtable
Paula Kluth's strategies for teachers who might be reluctant or don't know where to begin with inclusion on The Inclusive Class Roundtable, as well as some of our favorite things from her website, PaulaKluth.com.
What I Learned “When Schools Say No to Inclusion “
The guests on the show are leaders in the inclusion community. They all brought something unique to the table, but they had one thing in common- respect and dedication to all learners.
Amy Sequenzia: To You, Young Autistic Friend
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."
Th Inclusive Class Roundtable :”When Schools Say ‘NO’ to Inclusion”
This event brings together experts in the area of inclusive education to discuss and respond with practical techniques when schools say 'NO' to inclusion.
Supporting Young Autistics
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 Education: It’s Great If You Can Get It
Inclusive schools need to become a reality for all students across the nation regardless of abilities, socio-economic background and geographic location. Unfortunately, many school districts do not see the inclusive classroom as the Least Restrictive Environment and an appropriate placement for children with special needs. Thus, what one child has free and appropriate access to, another one doesn’t. And then inclusion , which has been proven by experts to be the gold standard of special education, becomes an ideal situation…if you can get it. The lack of universal practice of inclusive education in our school system creates an overall discord in
Why is a 13 year old protesting in order to go TO school?
How did we get here? How did we get to a point that our 13 year old son has to fight for the rights that are already his under federal law? How did we get to a place where a pretty reserved kid has the courage, the will, to do this?
The Case for Inclusion Part Two: What Does Inclusion Look Like?
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.
I Stand With Henry
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.
Top 10 Things Autistic Self Advocate Needs Teachers to Know : # 3
Top ten things I want you to know. Number 3: Please talk directly to me, not to my support person.
A Sister Stands with Her Brother: I Am Heard, I Am Important, and I Am Included
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.
I am the 20 % and the RNC
Henry takes his bi-partisan message of inclusion and civil rights for all to the Republican National Convention.
A Sensory Garden for Zoë and Oliver
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.
My Civil Rights
Inclusion, Martin Luther King, Jr, The Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and education.
Ollibean Mama Spotlight
Connect and learn with other parents like Tonya who presume competence and celebrate their children for being exactly who they are. #allofakind
The Case for Inclusion: Does All Really Mean All?
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.
Snacking: The Little Bite That Won’t Hurt You
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!
Change Leader Questionairre: Richard Attfield
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: “Just Me”
Amy Sequenzia writes about rejecting society's many labels. Perceptions such as “super spectacular” autistic and “low-functioning” are equally harmful .
Introducing Ollibean Change Leaders
Introducing Ollibean Change Leaders - comprised of the most innovative, passionate doers on the planet. Folks out there blazing a trail for the rest of us, leaders in advocacy, inclusive education, cutting edge medicine, technology, human rights, the arts, disability rights, and philanthropy. They are changing things for people of all abilities. They are the Einsteins, the Ghandis, the Martin Luther Kings, the Helen Kellers of our generation. You’ve probably heard of most of them, and if you haven’t, you will. We all have the power to create real change and make our world a better place, we just have to
Change Leader: Larry Bissonette
Our first Change Leader is artist and disability rights advocate, Larry Bissonnette. Larry's art, writing, presentations, and films are changing perceptions about disability around the world. His quote in Wretches & Jabberers, "More like you than not" says it all.
Everything’s fine, he’s doing great and other half-truths
Writing about Sebastien and the Setins for One Day without Starbucks for Sebastien and Mitochondrial Disorders, made me think about how difficult it can be to talk about your child's very serious medical issues, even with good friends. I have many dear friends who have children that are currently living with or have had life threatening issues. Every single one of those kids and their families, make it look easy. So easy, in fact, that some people don't realize how hard it can be for many kids - going to a million doctors appointments, the surgeries, not feeling well. Often, it's hard
Faces of Ollibean- We want to hear from you!
Every week we put the spotlight on another person out there making a difference. Share your story and inspire and motivate others to Be the Change.
OlliNEPAL at the SERC School
OlliNEPAL at the SERC School in Kathmandu
They call me Barney Fife
One out of four people that use accessible parking spaces, should not be using them. One out of four people think it's ok to park in a spot specifically designed and strategically to make it easier for someone who uses a wheelchair to have enough space to actually open the door to their van? Ok to park in a space designated for someone who has a heart condition so they don't have to walk quite as far?
Wretches & Jabberers Tampa Screening
The " World Intelligence Magnified Tour" took Tampa by storm. The screenings of Wretches & Jabberers the weekend of June 10 were an enormous success.
Ollibean Art for Change: Wretches & Jabberers Screening and Q & A at Tampa Theatre
Academy Award winner, Gerardine Wurzburg's documentary, "Wretches & Jabberers ", Screening and Q & A at Tampa Theatre . The rockstars of self advocacy, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette take Tampa by storm, shattering misconceptions of autism and intelligence.
Wretches and Jabberers at Tampa Museum of Art
Academy Award winner, Gerardine Wurzburg's documentary, "Wretches & Jabberers ", Screening and Q & A at Tampa Theatre . The rockstars of self advocacy, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette take Tampa by storm, shattering misconceptions of autism and intelligence.