Wednesday, June 3, 2015
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
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Inclusion is for all students.
Inclusion is for all students no matter what academic grade level they are, as long as they get some benefit.
Any teacher that loves to teach, knows that we all do not learn the same way. Teachers with a diverse classroom of students, should be able to figure out a little something to teach our kiddo's that are 2 or more years below grade level. As long as the student is getting "some benefit" in the least restrictive classroom.
Flexibility and a desire to help someone feel successful and make progress is all anyone wants.
Segregation & Discrimination is so old school and it's 2015 not the 60's!! I am so fed up with the not on grade level discussion and made up rules of the day!
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Friday, March 20, 2015
DS Pins ~ 3.21.15 World Down syndrome Day!
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
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
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Discrimination & Segregation still happens most often to students with Down syndrome.
Inclusion is a discussion most families are not talking about at the dinner table in most households. Unless you have a Child with Down syndrome the topic of Inclusion is talked about often. We know what being excluded and left out is all about. As parents and caregivers we know why it's important for our Children with Down syndrome to be Accepted and Fully Included into general education aka regular classes, sports and all the fun clubs and activities at school and just about everything in and around the Community we all live.
It doesn't feel good to be left out, not called on, not asked or invited to do what others are doing. Everyone wants to have friends and be accepted for who we are, just as we are. Inclusion is a way of thinking that many in society just do not get. Society still has a long way to go in accepting people with disabilities. Acceptance and Inclusion of People with Disabilities in all aspects of living is the CIVIL RIGHTS of today.
Inclusion and being part of the group is the right thing to do!
No one wants to be Excluded!
How would you feel if your name wasn't called and you were left out of what everyone else was doing? No one wants to be forgotten or left to always be last at being picked or not picked at all. How would you feel if you didn't have a BFF? We all want to be LIKED! We all want to be ACCEPTED. Discrimination, doesn't feel good, especially when it's happening to you! Being left out or turned away and not being called on or invited to 'the things' going on is hurtful and insensitive. People, wake up and look around your world, ask yourself:
"Have I ignored or made someone feel discriminated against?"
"Did I make someone feel left out and alone because they have a disability?"
"How can I be more helpful and accepting to those that are different than me?"
"Am I a friend to someone that could use a real friend?"
"Do I have any friends with disabilities?" (If not, why not?)
It doesn't feel good to be left out, not called on, not asked or invited to do what others are doing. Everyone wants to have friends and be accepted for who we are, just as we are. Inclusion is a way of thinking that many in society just do not get. Society still has a long way to go in accepting people with disabilities. Acceptance and Inclusion of People with Disabilities in all aspects of living is the CIVIL RIGHTS of today.
Inclusion and being part of the group is the right thing to do!
No one wants to be Excluded!
How would you feel if your name wasn't called and you were left out of what everyone else was doing? No one wants to be forgotten or left to always be last at being picked or not picked at all. How would you feel if you didn't have a BFF? We all want to be LIKED! We all want to be ACCEPTED. Discrimination, doesn't feel good, especially when it's happening to you! Being left out or turned away and not being called on or invited to 'the things' going on is hurtful and insensitive. People, wake up and look around your world, ask yourself:
"Have I ignored or made someone feel discriminated against?"
"Did I make someone feel left out and alone because they have a disability?"
"How can I be more helpful and accepting to those that are different than me?"
"Am I a friend to someone that could use a real friend?"
"Do I have any friends with disabilities?" (If not, why not?)
Let me guess, you clicked on this blog because you have a child with Down syndrome and the school doesn't want to allow your Child to be educated in the regular general education classroom. Your school district wants to segregate & have your child "go" somewhere else. A different classroom or a separate special needs school just for students with disabilities. I am only guessing, but this seems to be the way it goes for many (most) of our children sooner or later.
Being your Child's Advocate so they are accepted and part of whatever group or activity is going on is all we can do. We need to continue to Advocate for Inclusion for our Children. We can't make people become friends and like our children, but we sure can do what any good parent would do to make sure our Children are provided any and all opportunities that life throws our way from day-to-day. It means we do all we can to have our Children involved in all sorts of things that make our Children HaPpY!
INCLUSION IS AN ATTITUDE!
Inclusion is Natural~by Katie Snow
http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/
Being your Child's Advocate so they are accepted and part of whatever group or activity is going on is all we can do. We need to continue to Advocate for Inclusion for our Children. We can't make people become friends and like our children, but we sure can do what any good parent would do to make sure our Children are provided any and all opportunities that life throws our way from day-to-day. It means we do all we can to have our Children involved in all sorts of things that make our Children HaPpY!
INCLUSION IS AN ATTITUDE!
Inclusion is Natural~by Katie Snow
http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/
Oh how I wish I could take the hurt away I see when my own daughter is left out or forgotten. I so wish that discrimination and segregation wasn't allowed to happen today to anyone that has DIFFERENT ABILITIES! Why can't people see the discrimination and the hurt it causes others? Until it happens to you or someone you know and love, most will never really know what discrimination feels like and what it does to the core of a person's heart. It leaves a scar.
What can YOU do to make a difference in someone's life that is different than you in some way? We are all unique and wonderfully made. Be a better friend to that boy or girl you know is lonely and left alone by others or not called on and included in what everyone else is doing. You see those students that are Segregated in your school, reach out to them. Do the right thing and INCLUDE and become friends with someone new. Everyone wants and needs friends!
You may be the ONLY Friend they ever have!
What can YOU do to make a difference in someone's life that is different than you in some way? We are all unique and wonderfully made. Be a better friend to that boy or girl you know is lonely and left alone by others or not called on and included in what everyone else is doing. You see those students that are Segregated in your school, reach out to them. Do the right thing and INCLUDE and become friends with someone new. Everyone wants and needs friends!
You may be the ONLY Friend they ever have!
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Inclusive Middle School Choir Singing: "Count On Me" Song
YouTube Video by Rene Boyles
3-20-14 Middle school choir pop concert
This is Sarah singing in her Middle School Choir Pop Concert. Look for her in the second row from the front row, and third row from the top row in front of the totally awesome boy with red hair. The student that stands out and makes this video a perfect example of why INCLUSION is good for ALL!
I came across this little video on YouTube and was so moved by what I saw and felt in my heart while watching it. I was moved to tears watching it! This video is perfect to share with everyone on my Blog dedicated to highlighting Positive Inclusion Practices, Inclusion Training Resources, Positive Stories and great Video's pertaining to Inclusion: Down syndrome Inclusion
This video was recorded by her sister, Rene Boyles and uploaded to YouTube.
It's great to see a Middle School doing such a wonderful job of Including ALL Students that LOVE MUSIC!
Music connects us!
Song: COUNT ON ME by John Jacobson's Music Express ~ Volume 12 ~ Got Music
BRUNO MARS LYRICS
"Count On Me"
[Verse 1:]
Oh uh-huh
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea
I'll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see
I'll be the light to guide you
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need
[Chorus:]
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh yeah, yeah
[Verse 2:]
If you're tossin' and you're turnin'
And you just can't fall asleep
I'll sing a song beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me
Every day I will remind you
Oooh
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need
[Chorus:]
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh yeah, yeah
You'll always have my shoulder when you cry
I'll never let go, never say goodbye
You know...
[Chorus:]
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh
You can count on me 'cause I can count on you
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
In this CLASSROOM...
Beautiful & REAL INCLUSION going on in this Classroom!!!
Mariah would say, "See...Easy!!"
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
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