Community Ability Awareness
Letter to Community
General Ability Awareness
Information and Activities for Specific Disabilities
"Bring Ability Awareness to your School"
This site contains resources and activities to help our community have a better understanding of common disabilities. It is hoped that these materials be used to gain better awareness and acceptance so that our children, youth and adults with disabilities can participate as fully as possible in the heart, soul, and life of our community.
The activities are designed to be used by anyone with an interest in fostering better understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities. It is anticipated that they may be used by:
Youth groups Scout troops
Sports team leaders
General education teachers
Sunday school and Torah school teachers
Adult groups
The information includes general resources about disabilities, as well as detailed information and activities for specific disabilities. It is hoped that the specific disability information will be used to better welcome a person with that disability into the class or group.
The experiential activities are organized by age level to assist group leaders in selecting those that would be best understood by their group, but you are welcome to change and accommodate to meet your own needs.
The SELPA offers an "Ability Awareness" program for elementary and middle schools with experiential activities to better understand how to support people with disabilities.
Many of the activities may address California Department of Education Health Education Content Standards and are encouraged for use by general education teachers in teaching health units and/or courses:
2.1.4- Discuss how to show similarities and differences between and among individuals and groups 2.7.3- Show respect for individual differences
3.8.2- Advocate for a positive and respectful school environment
5.1.5- Recognize that there are individual differences in growth and development
6.1.14- Examine the importance of being empathetic to individual differences, including people with disabilities and chronic diseases
6.2.6- Analyze the external and internal influences on mental, emotional and social health
6.8.4- Encourage a school environment that is respectful of individual differences
7.8.7.11- Practice respect for individual differences and diverse backgrounds
7.8.8.7- Advocate for a positive and respectful school environment
HS 2.10- Examine the internal and external issues related to seeking mental health assistance
HS 7.8- Practice respect for individual differences and diverse backgrounds
HS 8.6- Advocate for the needs and rights of others regarding mental and social health
HS 8.7- Advocate for a positive and respectful environment at school and in the community
Thanks for your interest in promoting “Disability Awareness” in our community. Together we can make a world where everyone is valued and appreciated for who they are as a person, despite any disability or special needs.
Please give us your comments on how this site worked for you. 
To Our Community:
It is with pleasure that we unveil this latest effort by our SELPA Community Advisory Committee to increase acceptance and understanding for our children and young people with disabilities.
The world is changing. There is an ongoing discussion about what words to use: “differently abled,” “developmentally disabled,” “physically challenged,” “intellectual disabilities,” “special needs.” The fact that there is a discussion is proof of the changing world.
There was a time that we didn't need to discuss what word or “label” to use because we stuck people with disabilities out of sight. We hid them, there were no services and families were ashamed to have a family member who was “different.” People with disabilities were not part of our life experience. This led to stereotypes and misconceptions about people with special needs.
Things have changed. Children with disabilities are not hidden away. We are including them in schools and in the community. The benefits have been enormous. Inclusion works for everybody, not just the kid with special needs. Life experiences have been enriched. It makes you wonder how much we missed out on when people were locked away!
Although great strides have been made in the past several decades to increase and improve on programs for people with disabilities, we still have a way to go in changing attitudes and getting rid of stigma and misunderstanding.
We are changing the future. There is a big difference in attitude if you are an employer, landlord, community member, gym member, or worshiper and you have never met a person with Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, or other special needs vs. “Oh, I used to go to school with Paul or Suzie and they had Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, etc.” Ability Awareness activities support this change in attitude.
This website was created to be easy and fun to use for anyone who wants to increase awareness and understanding of people with disabilities. We look forward to the day when all people are welcomed and included, despite (or because of!) their disability.
Take Care,
Laurie Jordan, Director
Rainbow Connection