Monday, April 13, 2009

Recreation and Leisure

I have decided to do another blog on this subject because I found so many wonderful resources for it. I feel this is a huge part of these students lives so that they can build self-esteem and confidence to know they can be all they can be.

Resource # 1
http://www.fhnbinc.org/
This is such a great resource for those who live near the water and have a passion for fishing!! Fishing is a great leisure activity and this site offers the hope that everyone can enjoy it!

Resource # 2
http://www.nscd.org/
This is an organization that provides endless amounts of camps and events for the disabled. This organization has specially trained staff and its own adaptive equipment lab. It teaches a variety of winter and summer sports and activities to individuals with almost any physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral diagnosis.

Resource #3
http://www.projectmobility.org/about.html
Project mobility is an organization that adapts recreation tools so that peoples with disabilities can have the luxury of using them!

Recreation and Leisure

EVERYONE loves to have fun in their lives. It is so important to find something you enjoy doing so that your life is full of joy. It is important to explore different options and find what you like to do in your spare time. Finding recreation and leisure activities can improve your social skills and make you feel a part of something. These resources are directed for the student with a disability so they can find something they enjoy and feel a part of!

Resource # 1
http://www.adacs.org/
This is a great website and organization! This is a California based non-profit organization that helps youth with disabilities get more involved with extreme sports!

Resource # 2
http://www.adventureamputeecamp.org/
Everyone loves to go to camp! This is a camp offered for children with amputations. All activities are modified to meet the ability and interest level of the camper.

Resource # 3
http://www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org/
This is a foundation that provides instruction to individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. It is located on the East coast and allows these children to realize that they have so many abilities beyond their beliefs!

Transportation and Mobility

One of the leading problems regarding students with disabilities and their success is transportation. It is hard to be independent if the appropriate transportation services are not given so that you may do so. The following resources could be helpful to the person that has the disability, families of that person or other professionals.

Resource #1
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=126
I thought this was a great website offering different services that are governmentally provided as well as news and information on this topic. It is always so interesting to see what is going on in our country and this website offers different information for you to find out.

Resource # 2
http://www.aasc.org/aascV2/fourcountyhome_files/DisabilityTransportation.htm
This resource provides a website from counties in Virginia and their policies and procedures regarding transportation for the disabled. This could be a good reference when comparing the service provider from your county. It is always interesting to see what other people offer and get ideas from them.

Resource # 3
http://www.stnonline.com/stn/specialneeds/osep95hehir.htm
This a great article on transportation and the schools. It is so important to know your legal rights and what schools should be providing so that you are getting all you deserve.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Social Relationships

Having and building relationships is such an important part of every persons life. Everyone needs to have these friendships to feel good about themselves and have a support system to enjoy life with. Without the proper education to know how to make these relationships and know how to deal with some of the hardships that come along with having a disability, these students will miss out on such an important aspect of life-Social relationships!

Resource #1
http://www.specialed.us/issues-inclusion/EffectsInclusion.html

This is a research done with different aspects of relationship forming in an inclusion classroom. This research article talks about friendships, self-esteem, and personal principles regarding the students that have a disability and their interaction with the mainstream students.

Resource #2

Movie: Last one picked; First one picked on
Found @: http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/Richard-Lavoie-Learning-Disabilities-and-Social-Skills-Last-One-Picked-First-Richard-Lavoie-Lea/e/841887005487/?itm=1

This is a movie that offers helpful advice on everyday situations regarding social skills. This movie you learn how to make friends and form relationships no matter what condition you have. This helps build self esteem and confidence to make these relationships. I have not seen this movie, but the reviews sound very good and helpful.

Resource # 3

Book: It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success
Found @:http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Its-So-Much-Work-to-Be-Your-Friend/Richard-Lavoie/e/9780743254656/?itm=2

This book looks like it could be helpful for the older student and the adult that has a child with a disability. This book helps overcome shyness and low-self esteem, the correct way to convey emotions, strategies for bullying and harassment and many more helpful tips that these children or adults can benefit from.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Vocational Education/Training

In order for peoples with disabilities to get a fulfilled life, it is important that they end up in a career that is of interest. Vocational education and training is imperative for these individuals to find the kind of work that they enjoy and prepare for that type of work in their lives after school.


Resource #1:
http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/

This is a website that is geared towards vocational and educational services for peoples with disabilities. It is a site that assists these people in finding the services they need for a career that can make them feel successful and independent.

Resource #2:
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=5099

This website offers information on services for the high school aged student and adult aged person with a disability. It provides these students opportunities to explore careers of interest.

Resource #3:
http://www.dol.state.ga.us/vr_services.htm

This is a Georgia department website, but it was interesting to me to see the services that they offer through the government for vocational training. It provides services for people with disabilities to prepare for a workforce.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Financial and Income Needs

Financial and income needs are such a huge part of peoples' lives. Without knowing how to handle money, how to get money, and how to use that money that is earned, we can't live comfortable and be active in our community. So many people that have disabilities need special medication, devices, and services so it is important that they as well as their guardian know about what services are out there to assist in their financial and income needs. The following resources are beneficial for this topic.

Resource #1:
http://money.cnn.com/1999/10/25/life/q_disability/

This is an article that talks about saving for the disabled. This is a great article for parents and guardians of the disabled. It talks about the help given and the different things that they will go through in life that will need some extra funding. I think it is an interesting article to read to get a feel of what could be done and what the future may hold.

Resource # 2:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp

This is the Medicaid website. This site is especially helpful for anyone that is looking to receive services because of their condition. This site offers information on coverage, drugs, programs and services. All of this information is beneficial so you and or your child get what is deserved.

Resource #3:

This is a website that offers all the information needed for SSI (Supplemental Security Income). It is important that people realize what they can qualify and act on it.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Health and Safety

Health and Safety is an important aspect of every one's lives. Not only do we as teachers need to teach about health and safety, but we need to implement it. The following resources are good for teachers to use in their classroom to promote the health and safety of their disabled students. These resources are good for the mainstream classroom teacher as well because it is important for ALL students to understand how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Resource #1:
http://education.wichita.edu/m3/tips/health/health_resources.htm#nutrition

This is a website with a whole list of resources for teachers to implement in their classrooms. There are lessons and activities that can be accommodated for different ages and different students. These lessons range from fitness, nutrition, and mental health. I think it is important to encompass all aspects of health into the classroom.

Resource # 2
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/parents/resources/bullies_discussion_qs.html

This is an activity on how to deal with bullies. I thought it was especially beneficial because students with exceptionalities will unfortunately come across 'bullies' quite often. I think it is important to teach how to deal with these certain instances so that our students can continue to grow.

Resource # 3
http://www.samhsa.gov/

This is an education website developed to support the efforts of parents and other caring adults to promote mental health and prevent the use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs among 7- to 18-year-olds. It has everything from centers to contact if someone is in trouble to articles to a section where you can get information by topic.