Most of us can recall the sting of an unwanted stare or rude comment directed toward us as we passed through the school hallways of our youth. But can you imagine having such an experience nearly every day of your life just because you have a disability?
According to Easter Seals, of the more than 4.3 million Americans with disabilities, almost half are school-aged children, many of whom are today entering mainstreamed educational settings.
That's why Easter Seals has joined with Ronald McDonald Children's Charities to create "Friends Who Care," an award-winning, disability-awareness curriculum designed to help sensitize non-disabled students to their peers with disabilities and reduce the isolation that students with disabilities often experience while attending their neighborhood schools.
The program was designed by Easter Seals and made possible through a grant from Ronald McDonald Children's Charities.
According to Easter Seals, the program is targeted toward third- and fourth-graders and includes several hands-on activities to help students understand what it's like to have a disability. The Friends Who Care curriculum includes a 16-page teacher's guide, activity sheet, several awareness posters, disability etiquette tips and a 45-minute videotape. The kit is available for $25 from Easter Seals.
For more information on how your school can help promote disability awareness through the 'Friends Who Care' curriculum, contact: The National Easter Seal Society, 70 East Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, 312-726.6200 or visit their Web site.
Judy Winter is a contributing writer for Partnership for Learning. This article first appeared in "CEN-Newsline", February, 2000.