Inclusion, belonging and the disability revolution: Jennie Fenton at TEDxBellingen

Wonderful talk! 
Take a listen to this, it's about Inclusion, belonging and the Disability Revolution. 
Jennie Fenton is so right on with what she says!! I just wish EVERYONE would listen to this and 'hear' what she's saying.
There is a Disability Revolution going on!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAM9nh8WC-8&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop

DS Pins ~ 3.21.15 World Down syndrome Day!

They are all the same and different! 

Mariah and I had fun making these #WDSD15 pins for her schoolmates! 

Katie Swingle speaks to the Florida Senate ~ Thankful for (PLSA) Personal Learning Scholarship Account for her Child

Published on Mar 6, 2015
Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts (PLSA) allow parents of students with certain disabilities to create a customized education plan by choosing the school, services, and therapies that fit the needs of their children.

SENATE BILL 602 

Katie Swingle told lawmakers she hopes the program will be able to expand to help more families.
http://youtu.be/5aOGbosjhHY

What is Inclusion?

What is Inclusion?
It's much like the Shore Line, the Ebb & Flow of the Water Crashing in and then goes back again. Much like my emotions when it comes to day-to-day wanting 'inclusion' as you and I all know how basically simple it can be...but it's not. Sometimes the water comes crashing harder and sometimes it's a little 'lapping' at the shore during flat water. I love inclusion and I know what it looks like. Inclusion is natural, as it should be, because it's about people being together. Inclusion is about different people learning together alongside one another. Sometimes the most simplest thing can change so much!! Pick your battles and enjoy the small baby steps. Celebrate the small stuff.

Here's an article written in 2012 on the importance of Inclusion. The big picture is that times HAVE CHANGED!!
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120314/ARCHIVES/303149960

Inspire Inclusion By Dr. Julie Causton ~ VIDEO #2: Legal Aspects of Inclusive Education

Inspire Inclusion

Video #2: Legal Aspects of Inclusive Education Dr. Julie Causton 

http://www.inspireinclusion.com/video-2-legal-aspects-of-inclusive-education/ HERE

IDEA Supplementary Aides & Services Check List to take to IEP meetings! HERE

http://www.inspireinclusion.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/checklist_full.pdf HERE

I am thankful for and inspired to share with you one of the Top Experts in supporting Inclusion for ALL students into neighborhood schools & classrooms they would attend if they didn't have a disability! ~ Dr. Julie Causton

Her Video's and website are JAMMED PACKED with the tools needed to Advocate for our Children to be provided an Inclusive Education. Sign up to receive more useful resources Dr. Julie Causton provides!

This is the Meat & Potatoes!!!!
Have a Great Day!
Pass it on!! 

Nancy and Mariah
321 Fun ~ Mariah's Life!

Mariah Elizabeth's 1st week at her New School ~ Is this a dream?

"I'm so excited mom!"

"....now what?"

"Mom, that's nuff pictures!"

First Day at her New School ~ I was buzzed in at the security gate with the door ringer and I stepped in at the front office to say hello to the school secretary. She said, "it's OK to go ahead and take her to her classroom." I snapped a few pictures of Mariah, as she was rushing me saying, "come on mom that's nuff pictures!" Mariah was so excited and happy to finally be starting at her New school this morning! I opened the door to her classroom and saw a few students already sitting in desks. Her new teacher greeted her "by saying her name" and asked her to come in and take a particular desk.

Mariah Elizabeth was so excited and eager to meet her new classmates and go to school today! I am excited for her to make new friends and capture new academic growth here at this school that she desperately needs. (Back to the basics of learning and including her in a 'regular' classroom without any hassles about it.

Inclusion should be Natural! 

Mariah has a ton of confidence and a strong desire to learn. With just enough support, I know she'll be showing off her independence at this new school. She'll blossom here I'm sure of it! 

I gently closed her new classroom door behind her and was glad things went so smoothly this first morning drop off. As I was walking away and going out the security gate, I felt very much at ease at how welcoming it all felt dropping her off there on her first day of school without having to WAIT or wonder would she be safe today. This school operates how schools used to be ~ FRIENDLY & WELCOMING....I call this our LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE SCHOOL. They join 2 different grades together and they all eat at the same time together, so everyone gets to know everyone in the entire school. There is a FAMILY FEEL at this school for sure! After dropping her off her first day of school it took me less than 4 minutes to drive back home. Drive time there in the AM even in the busy AM traffic is 12 minutes at the most.

The first thing she said when I picked her up after her first day of school was..."Mom!!!!! Guess What!!"  " I PLAYED BASKETBALL! I LLLLLLLOVE SPORTS!!!" She was bout jumping out of her skin with excitement that she gets to do SPORTS at school!!! Basketball being her favorite "sport" right now!! Her homeroom teacher is also the PE Coach!

Mariah's at a great place! She is welcomed and valued as the individual she is! Her being a person with Down syndrome is not an issue here at this school!!!

2nd Day of School for Mariah Elizabeth  ~ I asked for a home set of class books this morning. Her teacher said, "That will be fine, I'll have them for you. A set will be ready when you pick her up this afternoon." .....and that was that!!! Now THAT'S Customer Service!!! "The way it should be", someone said to me on my FB page. I have to agree, yes the way it should be! No big deal!

Today is Tuesday, the day I pick her up early to take her to her OT-PT-SPEECH Therapies every week. I arranged with the school that I would be picking her up on Tuesdays 15-30 minutes before school lets out. This way she is able to continue attending her Private OT/PT/ST Therapies and won't be missing from her Academic class time at school anymore. No more therapies when she's in school anymore, she receives the best therapies where she has been going for the past 7 years now! 

School Day #3 for Mariah Elizabeth 

~ FAMILY FEEL!!!! With absolutely NO HASSLES thus far!!! 
*Mariah's mommie oh so needs this from a school!!! 

Takes me no more than 10 minutes or less to go pick her up after school!!

Mariah keeps telling me how much she LOVES her New School!! 

Her very first homework is to memorize a little prayer. Now that can be any more PERFECT for her first homework assignment!!! 

Below is her MEMORY Homework due on Friday 8/23/13. She wrote it out a few times, in a little notebook and also on 2 index cards. Today she typed it into an email to her teacher. At home I am teaching her how to use an email program and will eventually have it set up to send 'homework' over to her teacher this way. This is to continue to help Mariah with her computer and keyboarding skills she will need to be successful in life.

Here is what her Memory homework is ~ 
Dear Father in heaven above,
Fill our minds and hearts with your love,
Watch over us as we work and play
and be with us throughout the day.
Amen
*She typed this herself with a little help from me, to make sure she was using Capitals and punctuation correctly. I copied and pasted it from the email she sent to my email first. My goal is to help her learn how to independently use an email program this school year. Something her past schools were not interested in. Emailing is a skill she has to be taught and without a reason for using it via sending in homework once in a while, she will not gain that important "life skill" that I think is important for her to lean now. I will keep you posted on how the idea goes over when I ask her teacher about this idea.

Reading and practicing her Memory work on the drive to school each day this week.

Day #3 ~ On Wednesday's they go Chapel and have to wear their white uniform shirts on that day. They have several colors to choose from for their UNIFORM shirts, white, light blue, navy blue, green, red. Their shirts have to have the school logo...and their logo is so gosh darn cute!!! Mariah Elizabeth is used to wearing a uniform to school, so it's no big deal. She was actually impressed and happy when she took a good look at her New School LOGO on her shirt. On the car ride home her 2nd day she looked at it so proudly and said, "I LOVE THIS SCHOOL MOM!" ....with the cutest smile when she said it!

The school office has a box full of "pre-owned" uniforms in their front office. I was able to purchase a few items really cheap. For me it was like going shopping at a thrift store, which Mariah and I love to do anyway! Picking up a weeks worth of shirts really helped alot! That gurl of mine, she is hhharrd to find clothes that fit her right. We have learned to get creative on where we shop for her clothes. Woman's Capri's fit her legs like long leg pants. We are grateful for Capri's!! 

This is a page from her Social Studies book that was sent home. I do believe my daughter, Mariah has had the best first hand experience in CIVIC these last few months. Mariah's very first public speech at the State Capitol in front of the Florida Senate Education Committee March 18th, 2013 on Senate Bill 1108 was an experience in Civics that could never be learned in any classroom. 

Mariah knows about..."meetings" and "public speaking" and doing things to help change laws already. She has told me she wants to do more Public Speaking because of that experience. She has spoken before the School Board too! Want to see Mariah speaking before the Senate Education Committee 3.18.13 ~ Go to 21:07 - 22:57 on the video. http://thefloridachannel.org/video/program-201311/

Listen to Mariah & her Mom speaking on NPR-National Public Radio 

http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/2013/04/22/why-parents-could-get-more-control-over-their-childs-special-education-plan/

"Mom, I couldn't get into the swing, I need help." "The swings are for big kids, I'm a big kid."

Mariah and I both are looking forward to a wonderful school year ahead! 

GO TIGERS!  *Great MASCOT!! 

.....Does that make me a TIGER MOMMA???

Day #4 ~ Thursday 

She was asked to be part of the after school Jewelry Making classes!! Yes yes yes she will be there!!

This is the beautiful bulletin board by the front office! Isn't it pretty? Read what it says!!

Picked her up a tad early today to take her to her 1st day back Horse Riding at the Ranch!

Singing and talking on our weekly car ride to the ranch 18 miles away! She is so glad to be back to school and starting back with her weekly horse riding lessons!

This is Katie her new riding instructor this season.

Back sitting on FIRE!! She has been riding FIRE now for a few years!

Thursday is her HORSE Riding Day! This was 1st day back at the ranch with Katie is the new Riding Instructor for the group lessons. New this year, each rider will now be receiving some 1:1 independent riding lessons on a rotating schedule! This place is our favorite place to be each week! Glad to be back "in session" again!! 

Mariah is so HaPpY here at the Ranch!

Day 5 ~ 1st Week of School

Friday is PIZZA DAY for Lunch! The lunches are homemade and cost $4 daily. Mariah being on a restricted diet to keep her weight down, she will be taking her own fresh salads and low calorie lunches 3 times a week. She will get to eat Pizza on Friday's with everyone. Mariah likes making her own lunches and deciding what to put in her lunch container. Making her own lunches teaches her responsibility and how to make healthy choices on her own and how to COUNT HER CALORIES that she will have to do for the rest of her life if she wants to be in control of her 'healthy weight'!! She loves salads and eating healthy. 

This is where she is getting to know all of her new school & classmates! Yes they have SWINGS and the "big kids" still like swinging! It's like going to the Park everyday...in fact they DO GO TO THE PARK for some of their PE classes down the street!

BIG big difference the first week in a Private school compared to Public school first week! There is a calm and trust that she is respected and not babied or denied access to regular classes. Mariah is fully included in all regular general education classes and not segregated into an all special needs only classroom. She no longer has a 1:1 adult aide sitting so close and on top of her. Mariah is proud to be herself here at this school. I think this school is the place where Mariah is going to blossom on so many levels academically and in so many ways as a typical teenager! Mariah has had an absolutely awesome first week at her new school! 

Mariah is HaPpY at her New School!!! 

......so is her "Tiger Momma!"

"If a child can't learn the way we teach,   ...maybe we should teach the way they learn."        - Ignacio Estrada

VIEW & SHARE this NEW Video about Down syndrome! 

Just Like You! http://youtu.be/5M--xOyGUX4

Down syndrome good practice guidelines for education 

http://dsei-files.cdn.dsegroup.net/2012/12/appgds-good-practice-guidelines.pdf

INCLUSION GUIDELINES http://iod.unh.edu/PriorityAreas/inclusive-education/inclusiveed/about.aspxhttp://iod.unh.edu/PriorityAreas/inclusive-education/inclusiveed/about.aspxhttp://iod.unh.edu/PriorityAreas/inclusive-education/inclusiveed/about.aspx

To read more about Mariah go to her personal blog at:

321 FUN ~ Mariah's Life Blog

www.321FUN.blogspot.com

DS Advocate Blog

www.DS-Advocate.blogspot.com

Down Syndrome Inclusive Education 

www.DownSyndromeInclusiveEducation.blogspot.com

POD Angels ~ Down syndrome Family Support

www.podsangels.blogspot.com

Do you have a student with Down syndrome in your classroom? Great Resource out of Michigan! Supporting the Student with Down Syndrome in your Classroom. To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled, and special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily” 20 U.S.C § 1412(a)(5)(A).

The Florida Channel ~ Mariah Speaking before the Florida Senate Education Committee 3/18/13

http://thefloridachannel.org/video/program-201311/

The National Center on Inclusive Education (NCIE) at the Institute on Disability/UCED at the University of New Hampshire advances the view that disability is a natural part of the human experience and promotes the inclusion of all students within general education classrooms and school communities.

http://iod.unh.edu/PriorityAreas/inclusive-education/inclusiveed/about.aspx

"We are more alike than different" - Katy by matthew duffus

"We are more alike than different" - Katy 
Published on Jun 1, 2013 by matthew duffus "we are more alike the different" a program to say that people with down syndrome are no more different then the rest of us.

"We are more alike than different" - Katy by matthew duffus <--Click to view beautiful video of Katy
*SHARE THIS SO THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS...
..."we are more alike than different"

Mariah's 1st Day in ESE Resource Room for her 6th Grade Access Point Math! They've GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!

Today against my GUT FEELINGS as a mom....

Mariah attended her very 1st day in an ESE RESOURCE ROOM for MATH! The photo's included in today's post below are what Mariah brought home her first day in the 6th GRADE ESE MATH class. This is what they call 6th GRADE ACCESS POINTS? 

They've GOT TO BE KIDDING...RIGHT??! 

This is so not what she needs to be doing at her Grade Level or for her age!!! She doesn't even have any Math Goals written into her IEP Document anymore and this is what she finally gets "to learn" in the ESE Room? 

FAPE at it's Finest!!

Today when I was looking over her NEW ESE Math Classwork she brought home from school, l was talking with Mariah and asked her about these Math Problems. She answered them all correctly just talking to her after school. *I think maybe she was thinking of Multiplication with the 0+1 and the 0+3, because Triple-Digit Multiplication is what she has been working on at home, using a calculator.

My daughter is capable of doing much more than  this stuff that came home today, on her 1st day in an ESE Classroom for Math!! This is 6th Grade ACCESS POINTS in Math!?

This is disgusting to me that my daughter's ABILITIES in Math have been WATERED-DOWN to  the Kindergarten Level when she is ABLE to do much higher level thinking in Math computations, using a calculator as her accommodation.

She knows how to divide and multiply, how to change fractions into decimals etc. She LOVES Math and using her calculator! She needs those that are in charge of teaching her, to pump it up a notch and TEACH HER higher level math skills that match HER NEEDS, not to an informal assessment that doesn't reflect her True Abilities!

I do not agree with my daughter now being 'taught' such low grade level Math work, when this is nowhere near what 6th GRADE ACCESS POINTS are! This is far below her Math Abilities!! 
*ESE FAPE Math is way below her Ability to do Math!

Here is a Sample of the Math Problems Mariah enjoys doing once on a roll of doing them. Once shown HOW TO DO THE PROBLEM and has time to practice and practice a few times how to go about getting the answer, she CAN DO IT! She LOVES Math when she is able to have 'a moment' to be TAUGHT the exact way how to go about getting the answer. 

It's predictable....the steps to get the answer!

*Mariah will continue to do Higher Grade Level Math 
Problems at Home. That is in the Best Interest for Mariah's Progress in Math. 
5th Grade Math Worksheets ~ Great Schools.org
http://www.greatschools.org/worksheets-activities/slideshows/6381-fifth-grade-math-worksheets-slideshow.gs

JUST LIKE YOU ~ Cool Short Video

THANK YOU Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City!! 
This is a PERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL short video especially for October being Down syndrome Awareness Month!! 

'Glee' Character should go to College like the others! Why not?

College Urged For ‘Glee’ Character With Down Syndrome
By MICHELLE DIAMENT
July 24, 2012 
When students on Fox’s “Glee” graduated this season, they all headed to college. Now a Twitter campaign is calling on the show’s writers to make the same plan for a character with Down syndrome. 


Click here for complete article: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/07/24/college-glee-down-syndrome/16092/

There shouldn't even be any question about it! This is exactly what some of our young adults have already been doing. Society loves watching TV and they love watching Glee, let's give Becky the same opportunities as the others on the show!  This show has raised positive Down syndrome awareness, let's keep it going. Join them on Twitter and let the show writers know you want to see Becky going to College too!

Thank you John Anton for being you!!

Determination Trumps Down Syndrome | WCVB Home - WCVB Home Click this link see this amazing guy named John Anton! 
I am so impressed with what he is doing for so many of us!


THANK YOU JOHN ANTON!! 

3.21.12 World Down Syndrome Day ~ LET US IN - I WANT TO LEARN

Down Syndrome children need 'faster inclusion' - The National

Down Syndrome children need 'faster inclusion' - The National

Great article and time for this to happen everywhere....now!

Delaware cheerleaders embrace special teammate | 6abc.com

Del. cheerleaders embrace special teammate | 6abc.com

Now this is what I'm talking about! This IS inclusion....at it's finest!

Thank you!

For my brother and sister, and anyone who has ever experienced the beauty of Down Syndrome.

Uploaded by torihoo on Nov 17, 2011

For my brother and sister, and anyone who has ever experienced the beauty of Down Syndrome.

Entry for +15 Campaign's "One of Them is My Sib" contest.

This little video is so sweet for a sister to do for her 'sibs'!
Just had to post it here for everyone to see! Thanks Torihoo!

Inclusive Schools Week Dec.5-9, 2011

11th Annual Inclusive Schools Week Dec.5-9, 201

http://inclusiveschools.org/files/116/

11th annual Inclusive Schools Week is Dec. 5-9, 2011!

Inclusive Schools Week is an annual international event celebrated the first week in December. It is a time when schools and communities can begin or continue the journey toward providing a quality education to all children regardless of differences in ability, gender, ethnicity, language and health status. The Inclusive Schools Network offers Activities and Resources for Schools, Classrooms, and Families. Get your kit today!

Letter #3 ....from Devin

Dear Mariah,
With you in my class I have learned a lot like not to be mean to people with disabilities. Over the years, I have seen people get made fun of because they have disabilities and it even hurts me. 


So bye Mariah, I will miss you. 
I also learned to help people with disabilities. 
I will never forget you.
Nobody else will either.


From, 
Devin


June 9th, 2011
Mr. Jeffrey Allagood's 5th Grade Homeroom Class

Letter #1 from Lissette M.

What I learned from having Mariah in my class was that even though someone is different you treat them the way you want to be treated. 


At first I couldn't quite understand what Mariah was going through. 


Mariah has been such an inspiration to me. I hope in the future I'll see her again. Till then good luck Mariah!


Your Friend,


Lissette M.
June 1st, 2011

Understanding the Differences Between IDEA and Section 504 | LD Topics | LD OnLine

Understanding the Differences Between IDEA and Section 504 | LD Topics | LD OnLine

GREAT READING!! 


Enjoy!

Crews Lake Middle's initiatives in special education working - St. Petersburg Times

Crews Lake Middle's initiatives in special education working - St. Petersburg Times ~ direct link

Crews Lake Middle's initiatives in special education working

By Jeffrey S. Solochek, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Thursday, September 8, 2011

*click highlighted link above for complete article 


This looks like something we all should keep an eye on how 'they are doing it'....looks good!!