All Means All’s Post

Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eATpKsWF as we delve into the crucial findings of our latest report on developmental disabilities in West Virginia, a topic discussed by our director, Samuel Workman, on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. This comprehensive analysis highlights a worrying trend: a significant rise in Independent Educational Plans (IEPs) since the onset of COVID-19, pinpointing demographic shifts and the challenges in staffing for students in need. Our research, made possible by the dedicated efforts of the WV Department of Education in preserving IDEA data, provides a window into the current landscape of educational support for students with developmental disabilities. We thank Think Kids in West Virginia and the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council (WVDDC) for their invaluable partnership in this study. We invite you to explore the full report https://t.ly/mkob5 to understand better the implications and insights drawn from our findings. Your support and engagement in this dialogue are vital as we work towards improved educational strategies and student outcomes. #DevelopmentalDisabilities #WestVirginia #EducationPolicy #PublicSchools #Governance #DataInsights #IEP #IDEA #ThinkKidsWV #WVDDC

Disability Awareness Day is on July 14th. This yearly event aims to spread information and promote services that are available to help disabled people live more independently. Teaching pupils about disabilities and inclusion is an important part of learning at school. Activities you could try include: - Role-playing exercises: Students simulate disabilities to understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities. - Guest speakers: Invite alumni or teachers with disabilities to share their experiences and perspectives. - Art projects: Create and display posters highlighting facts and positive messages about disabilities. - Storytelling and Books: Read and discuss books featuring characters with disabilities. - Creative writing exercises: Write a short story from the perspective of someone with a disability. - My name in Braille worksheets: Students can learn to write their names in Braille. - Fingerspelling alphabet comprehension worksheet: Practice the fingerspelling alphabet used in sign language. - Talk about famous neurodivergent individuals: Discuss the achievements of successful people to raise awareness. There are plenty of resources online. Get your class involved today! #DisabilityAwareness #Education #Inclusion

Continuing the celebration of our 10th Anniversary, this #ThrowbackThursday features a report we published in partnership with the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE), titled “How has the pandemic affected students with disabilities? An update on the evidence: Fall 2022.” This report explored evidence on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected America’s students. Read the report and learn about our takeaways here: https://buff.ly/3M4Jf4p. #CLE #CLEtakes10 #CRPE #COVID19

February shines a spotlight on inclusivity with North American Inclusion Month. It's a time to reaffirm our commitment to the educational rights of all kids and the importance of belonging. Here’s what we should all be aware of: Disabled students represent 15% of national public school enrollment, a clear call for comprehensive support systems. The scarcity of special education professionals in many schools is an urgent issue. Roughly 1/3 of disabled students in the U.S. have specific learning disabilities, like dyslexia, affecting their educational journey. Children with autism account for 12% of students with disabilities, which emphasizes the need for tailored educational strategies. Let’s ensure every child feels valued and supported in their educational environment. This month, let's learn, advocate, and strive for the inclusion of all students. 📘🤝 #NorthAmericanInclusionMonth #StayAtHomeDad #Fatherhood #Brotherhood #Parenthood #Fatherhoodmatters

Research in disability studies can help art educators reframe ways of engaging with disability issues. Join us tonight and learn about the use of disability arts to engage learners in critical visual literacy and imagery production focused on topics of disability. Discover critical approaches to language and decentering normalcy to create inclusive learning spaces for all. https://ow.ly/C8sp50TuoFi

In this second episode on STEM and Disability series: Inclusive Teaching This is another STEM Positive Disruptor: MIA conversation, showcasing special guest Sara Shunkwiler, Engineer, Educator and Disability Inclusion Advocate. She work in the Space Systems Engineering field at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA Question: Why are people with disability still been discriminated against in our STEM world that it makes it very difficult for a person to disclose from the outset that they have a disability? There are so many takeaways from our conversation but I will only share this that for Inclusive teaching to be effective we need to start from early school years and take a proactive approach to making the courses accessible. Finally, as Sara would say "Disability is not a bad word" Wow! wow! wow! Sara is a bulldozer of change. Please listen to our conversation in full, https://lnkd.in/ehJVw7WM I will also be sharing some more information from Sara on Inclusive teaching soon Sara Shunkwiler, Wuni Bitrus, Emma Collington, Jerusha Mather #inclusiveteaching, #disability, #STEMM, #accessibility

Well done to BBC Woman's Hour for raising the topic: "Is the SEND system working for children with special educational needs and disabilities?" And fantastic to hear Catherine McKinnell, Minister for School Standards agreement that the system is broken and in need of reform and that it's the duty of all schools to work together to support children early in life. "We think that children with SEND should be at the heart of our education system - by doing that we get education right for everybody" Hearing the eloquent 17 year old Katie who is autistic and not able to be in a school environment's need to be "believed." "Funding is an issue but the system has no empathy for what children and families are going through." And just a few quotes from parents: "The downward spiral is so swift fast that it gives you whiplash - you can go from a child that is sort of struggling to a child that can no longer attend at all." "If you are going to choose between an education and your child's mental health - you choose their mental health!" "The environmental factors trigger my son so much he often spends a lot of his time isolated in the toilet." "Living as a minority within a minority that is black and is disabled means that the challenges we face... are more confounded because we are looking at racial bias as well as disability discrimination." An honest and much needed discussion. Catch it here:

If you missed this presentation, here is the link to the recording. https://lnkd.in/gyQHp-2G

Language is constantly evolving. Perkins School for the Blind has put together a short guide to how disability language and terms are evolving and why. https://lnkd.in/eqHK4f5s

It is clear the #specialeducation system is in need of a #transformation. For anyone who has navigated its complexities or knows someone with a developmental disability, the challenges are glaringly obvious. We are thrilled to announce the mission of Oly Able Special Education Consulting: changing the special education landscape. At Oly Able, we're not just advocating for change—we're actively driving it. Our team is dedicated to promoting the acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities through comprehensive training, personalized coaching, and unwavering advocacy. If you're a school leader aiming to enhance your special education programming but find yourself uncertain about how to tackle it, don't hesitate to reach out. Discover how our team at Oly Able Special Education Consulting can provide the support and guidance you need. Together, we can make an impact that sparks meaningful change. #SpecialEducation #Inclusion #ChooseToInclude #InclusionRevolution