Clarkston Community Schools hosted their second Disability Awareness Day program on Nov. 10.
Daniel Ralston is a parent with a student with a disability. Ralston came to Clarkston schools and suggested they start the program.
Originally, the district started the program in just one building, Springfield Plains Elementary, to experience first hand the amount of training and work needed. Everyone involved realized it was very easy and decided to make arrangements for the next year.
The program is now offered at all seven Clarkston Elementary schools and is a totally parent run operation. The enhancement program only lasts one day at each school.
There are a total of 30 parent volunteers, and each school has a coordinator.
Disability Awareness is a program designed by parents who worked with Oakland Schools to develop special kits. These kits include many pieces of equipment each school uses when they have their Disability Awareness day.
Through testing, the district decided the best age for students to start participating in this important day was in the fourth grade. At that age, kids are still young and able to take things in; however, they are old enough to understand.
The goal for Disability Awareness day is to bring these children together and help them better understand what it means to carry a disability. With the special kits, students can experience not having the use of their legs by sitting in a wheelchair. A child also experiences what it is not having vision by wearing a mask over their eyes and holding a walking stick.
Also, children had the opportunity to understand a different type of disability. Disabilities can cause a person to struggle with everyday concepts, such as reading or writing. Students were given the opportunity to sit at a table and feel what its like to be dyslexic, or have a learning disorder.
Clarkston, for many years, has done a full inclusion model for special education students which places them in general education classrooms along with other children. Clarkston students face other children with disabilities every day, a model that has helped to pave the way for a more understanding future.
‘Kids aren’t used to seeing kids with disabilities,? said Anne Evans, director of Student Support Services. ‘What these programs do is help to develop sensitivity for those who can’t walk or see.?
The special education students are also a part of the day by contributing their experience’s to those who don’t understand.
‘Whatever their disability is, these students still need to learn about other disabilities,? said Evans.
The ultimate goal of the program is to bring awareness to people who don’t face the same challenges as a person with a disability. The program teaches children that other people do face these challenges, and it’s alright to approach them.
‘It makes me so proud that these parents come over and help,? said Evans. ‘I can’t thank them enough.?