Understanding Disabilities: Elementary Grades

Objectives
Activities will help students:

• Increase knowledge about people with disabilities  
• Explore ways to sensitively communicate with people with disabilities

Essential Questions

• What are some disabilities?
• What are appropriate ways to communicate sensitively with people with disabilities?
• What are some ways to support and encourage others to sensitively communicate?

Glossary

disability [dis-uh-bil-i-tee]
(noun) a condition of having a physical or mental impairment

Materials

• Handout: Learning about Some Disabilities [1]
• Chart paper
• Markers

Activities

1. Have you ever seen a person that may have a special need? Maybe you’ve seen a person in a wheelchair. Or perhaps you’ve seen someone walking with a service animal, a dog who goes everywhere with them. Some people have disabilities and need special help. Read the handout Learning about Some Disabilities [1]. (Note: For younger students, you may want to read this short article aloud.)
2. Do you know someone with a disability? Share your story with the class. (Note: Encourage students to talk about the people with disabilities in their families and communities. You may want to begin by telling a story of your own to help set the tone for the sharing session.)
3. Do you have questions about disabilities? Now is your chance to learn more about people who may seem different from you. Create a list of questions that you have about disabilities. (Note: Record the questions on chart paper and post them around the room. Take time to answer each question to the best of your ability. If questions come up that you cannot answer, let students know that you will look up the answer and get back to them.)
4. While it is true that there can be differences among people, there are also lots of things that are the same. All people want to be treated with kindness and respect. Work as a class to come up with some ways that you can be kind and respectful to others. (Note: You may want to include the following to help get the class started: Be patient when speaking with others and give them time to speak. Look people in the eye and smile while you’re talking to them. If you see a kid playing alone, invite him or her to join your group of friends. Tell a teacher if you see a kid being bullied by others.)

Extension Activities

1. Create posters that show kids helping and including other kids. Hang the posters around your school.
2. Ask a parent to help you learn more about a disability that you don’t know much about.

Additional Resources

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [2]

Disability.gov [3]

Dr. Brian Abery & Yes I Can! Curriculum [4] 

Standards 
Activities and embedded assessments address the following standards (McREL 4th  edition [5]) 

Language Arts

Standard 4: Gathers and uses information for research purposes

Standard 7: Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts

Standard 8: Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes

Standard 10: Understands the characteristics and components of the media

Civics

Standard 11: Understands the role of diversity in American life and the importance of shared values, political beliefs, and civic beliefs in an increasingly diverse American society

Standard 25: Understands issues regarding personal, political, and economic rights

Life Skills (Working with Others)

Standard 3. [6] Works well with diverse individuals and in diverse situations 

Standard 4. [7] Displays effective interpersonal communication skills