Providing Alternative Communication for All Students.
I need assistance to attend a conference that will benefit all the special kids in our school district so that they may be able to communicate successfully through a variety of means.
I am a physical therapist working for a school district with its own special education department. The city I work in is depressed and some schools in our district have over 75% of students receiving free and reduced lunch. My students face many obstacles in going to school which go beyond their disabilities including poverty and lack of stability. They have great physical, communication, sensory, and emotional needs. My students have many different special needs including assistance with motor control, feeding, communication, toileting.
My students get so excited when given opportunities to interact with their school peers and environment.
They are thrilled when able to communicate their needs and wants and ideas. They are ecstatic when they can play on the playground like their normal developing peers.
The students present with many different diagnoses including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Autism, ADD/ADHD, Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, cognitive delays, and many more. Many students use special equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, canes, orthotics, assistive technology in order to fully participate and engage in school. I really love what I do and it gives me great joy when my students are able to gain independence when given the right tools.
My Project
In November, I would like to join many dedicated educators who are focused on ensuring that every student has access to the curriculum through equitable access. We will come together at Access to Education 2017.
Sessions will be designed around the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) and accessing the general curricula.
This conference will allow me to gain a wealth of knowledge to instruct children and their teachers to communicate at their greatest potential. I will learn numerous techniques, strategies, and the latest technology available to assist students, teachers, parents, and staff to help the children communicate at the highest level possible. This course will help all students even those who are unable to communicate the most simple of needs and wants.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Wassilak and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
