Disability Awareness

1. Disability Awareness

2. What is VSA? • Non-profit arts organization • Founded 1974 -Jean Kennedy Smith • International – 60 countries • A program of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts • Provides arts, education and cultural opportunities for and by people with disabilities.

3. VSA Florida- Mission • To create a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. • Housed at the University of South Florida – College of Special Education

4. People First Language • Language that is sensitive and accurate • Language that puts the focus on the individual NOT the disability

5. Why the Arts? • The arts appeal to diverse learning styles, creating greater opportunities for students and teachers to connect. • The arts make learning more interesting by correlating learning experiences to life experiences. • The arts provide a forum for creating innovative teaching strategies. • Multicultural aspects of the arts foster appreciation and acceptance of diversity.

6. Autism Spectrum Disorder Neurological Disorder Characteristics • Lack of verbal and non-verbal communication • Lack of social interactions • Difficulty in expressing emotions • Repeated movements • Resistance to change • Lives in their own world • Uneven patterns on intellectual functioning • May be “expert” in one area • May have no fears • Excessive attachments to objects

7. Tips for ASD Instructional Behavioral Keep routine consistent Be firm, fair and flexible Specify consequences Assist communicating their needs and wants Allow for independence • Give clear and direct instruction • Be consistent • Explain step by step • Use multi-sensory approach (UDL) • Use visual clues • Have choices available • Know needs of student

8. Developmental Disorders Characteristics • Low I.Q. scores • Low cognitive development • Brief retention span • Communication difficulties • May be immature • Difficulty with changes • Down Syndrome • Fragile X • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

9. Tips Instructional Behavioral Be consistent with rewards/consequences Set limits Be firm, fair and flexible Provide positive remarks Provide time-out options Use repetition and structure Encourage choices Use visual strategies i.e. a yellow card to indicate a warning or star as reward • Be concrete and clear • Use cooperative learning • Model steps • Praise often • Work toward independence • Reduce distractions • Establish “buddy” system • Utilize group activities • Encourage self-evaluation

10. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder • Inattention • Hyperactivity • Impulsiveness • Fails to follow instructions • 2.5 x more in males

11. Brain Disorders • Interferes with persons ability to: • Think • Feel • Relate to others and environment • Depression/ anxiety

12. Tips Instructional Behavioral Positive remarks Keep routine Specify consequences Use visual clues Assist student in communicating their needs Allow independence Encourage choices • Call by name • Be consistent • Use visual clues • Use a multi-sensory approach to instruction • Be clear and concise with directions • Have reward system • Utilize group activities

13. Characteristics Emotionally Disabled • Attention –getting behavior • Low self-esteem • Poor impulse control • Low attention span • Can be withdrawn • Problems working in groups • Can be aggressive

14. Tips Instructional Behavioral Use behavior contracts Do modeling Solve problems privately Give choices Avoid power struggles Be firm, fair and flexible • Provide short manageable tasks • Repeat directions often • Provide positive reinforcement • Individualize work assignments • Structure classroom environment • Use UDL

15. Learning Disabilities • Difficulties in: • Listening • Speaking • Reading • Writing • Reasoning • Mathematical ability • Short term memory • Sequencing & abstract reasoning • Problems evident in: • Interpreting • Translating • Recalling • Social interactions • Cause: • Central nervous system dysfunction

16. Tips for Learning Instructional Behavioral Provide class rules Make expectations clear Be consistent Encourage choice Be firm, fair and flexible Use repetition and structure Praise often • Be concrete • Use motivational materials • Use “buddy” system • Reduce distractions • Model steps • Use visuals

17. Hidden Disabilities • Conditions as: • Cancer • Epilepsy • Diabetes • Lung disease, asthma • Kidney failure • Hemophilia • AIDS • Heart disease • Sickle cell anemia

18. Tips • Wheelchair is an extension of the persons body. • Be on eye level when speaking. • Ask person if they want assistance and how can you assist.

19. Mobility Impairments • Cerebral palsy • Spinal cord injury • Stroke • Arthritis • Muscular dystrophy • Amputations • Polio • Spina Bifida

20. Tips Instructional Behavioral Do modeling Use positive reinforcement Use behavioral contracts Be firm, fair and flexible Do not become over-protected Know who to contact if assistance is needed • Provide short manageable tasks • Set short term expectations • Repeat directions often • Provide positive reinforcement • Individualize • Present for all learning styles (UDL)

21. Blind/Vision Impaired VISION IMPAIRED Tips Provide information beforehand Involve other senses Tactile materials Grid system on page Markers with smell Ask how you may assist Use audio description • 2.3% of US population • Legally blind: 20 feet • Normal: 200 feet

22. Deaf/Hard of Hearing Hard of Hearing Tips Face person directly Sign language/ signer Model activity Use visual aids/clues Assistive listening devices Open caption Computer Aided Real Time captioning • 680,000 in Florida

23. Kiai Spirited Shout

24. Sensory Disorders Links: • http://www.tsbvi.edu/seehear/fall97/sensory.htm and on solutions what is called "SENSORY DIET"  • http://sensorysmarts.com/sensory-diet.pdf A book I recommend is • http://www.amazon.com/Sensory-Sensitive-Child-Practical-Out---Bounds/dp/0060527188/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343164739&sr=1-1&keywords=the+sensory-sensitive+child Here are a few links of some of my work with children on the Spectrum • http://vimeo.com/26697275 • http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=394901867201671

25. Resources • American Occupational Therapy Assoc. www.aota.org • American Council of the Blind www.acb.org • Council for Exceptional Children www.cec.sped.org • Learning Disabilities Ass. of America www.ldanatl.org • National Ass. Of Deaf www.nad.org • National Brain Injury Ass. www.biausa.org • National Down Syndrome Society www.ndss.org • National Parent Network on Disability www.npnd.org • National Spinal Cord Injury Ass. www.spinalcord.org • Spina Bifida Ass. www.sbaa.org • United Cerebral Palsy Ass. www.ucpa.org

27. VSA Florida University of South Florida College of Education/ Sp Ed/ VSAFL 4202 E. Fowler Ave. EDU 105 Tampa, Florida 33620 813-974-0712 Email: mfarber@usf.edu www.vsafl.org