Temple Grandin at TED Talk - Autism is a Gift

Dr. Temple Grandin is an expert in animal sciences but it is her insight into her own autism that has really catapulted her profile and career. You can hear Grandin putting her support behind bringing back the trades and the hand-on careers back into schools as they definitely serve those who find it difficult to do 'regular' academic work.

An expert on animal behavior, Temple Grandin has designed humane handling systems for half the cattle-processing facilities in the US, and consults with the meat industry to develop animal welfare guidelines. As PETA wrote when awarding her a 2004 Proggy: “Dr. Grandin's improvements to animal-handling systems found in slaughterhouses have decreased the amount of fear and pain that animals experience in their final hours, and she is widely considered the world's leading expert on the welfare of cattle and pigs.”

Grandin’s books about her interior life as an autistic person have increased the world's understanding of the condition with personal immediacy -- and with import, as rates of autism diagnosis rise. She is revered by animal rights groups and members of autistic community, perhaps because in both regards she is a voice for those who are sometimes challenged to make themselves heard.

"Autism is part of who I am."

Temple Grandin

[Via TED]

Accessible Wheels (#ncti2009)

Presenting at the NCTI 2009 is an honor as it celebrates some of the most innovative technological solutions in education.  The 2009 NCTI Technology Innovators Conference, Educational Futures — Powered by Technology, will focus on how learning and assistive technologies can supercharge education for all students.The NCTI is funded by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and housed in Housed at the American Institutes for Research in Washington, D.C. 

It's only fitting that the most recent episode of the hugley popular new comedy Glee featured the character of Arty Abrams (Kevin McHale) and his quest to being himself.  All the other members of the Glee club were told to use a wheelchair for 3 hours of the school day so that they would realize what life is like for Arty every single day.  The episode was great and his solo/soliloquy was awesome.  Go Arty and Dance wherever you want!

The National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) advances learning opportunities for individuals with disabilities by fostering technology innovation. Specifically, we help researchers, product developers, manufacturers and publishers to create and commercialize products of value to students with special needs.

To achieve its goals NCTI offers services to:

• Analyze needs, issues, trends, and promising technology innovations
• Cultivate a collaborative network
• Promote reliable research-based solutions
• Facilitate successful commercialization approaches for the education market

Funded by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), NCTI works with a deep and supportive community of government, nonprofit, and private organizations. Our network of individuals and staff is dedicated not only to the development of powerful assistive technologies but to the commercial success that will make them viable on a large scale.

And here is the rest of it.

Hands-on: Facesay (Autism) by Efrain

A video Efrain Reyes made after having an actual experience using a video game that allows autistic children to develop better social understandings.

And here is the rest of it.

No Limits - Hardcore Sitting

Abigail Branson sees not limits in what she can do. As a teacher you will have to find ways to help your students learn no matter what their level of ability. Listen how positive she is and how compelled and inspired her parents are to help and advocate for others with spina bifida SB. Where and how are you building your students competence (perceived or real), self-confidence, and above all self-concept. Are you providing motivating environments and engaging tasks that are developmentally appropriate for your students or is everyone supposed to do the same thing? Which is the better way to help your students? It takes work. No one said that teaching is easy. You have to have heart, dedication and be willing to put the time in to find ways to reach your students. It's all about them. No go out and find inspiration, be inspired, and most of all be inspirational. Carpe Diem!





Aaron enters the Guiness Book of World Records. Congrats Aaron!

"Just Trying to Fit In" - Standup Comic with Cerbral Palsy

Josh Blue says he's not naturally funny but he certainly doesn't look uncomfortable delivering his routines. Bringing awareness to people with disabilities is one of his main missions and I think he does a wonderful job of delivering his message. And here is the rest of it.

Handigo for People of All Abilities

In what is the first cross-blog post between this blog and my Exergame Lab blog, Ubisoft released a free online game called Handigo The Game. Actually there are three mini-games (Sensory handicap,  Motor handicap, and Mental handicap) and their objective along with handicap International was to play games that puts you "in a disabled persons's shoes."  Of course I must take issue with that phrase as we all know the importance of using first person language, i.e. "person with disability or "person with a handicap."  

A2B Tricycle

Shabtai Hirshberg from Hadassah College (Jerusalem) designed this tricycle to encourage physical activity among kids suffering from neurological or muscular disorders. And here is the rest of it.

[Yanko Design: Trike for Disabled Tikes... and Project page: A2B trike...]

Adaptive Actions Sports

Adaptive Actions Sports was created by Amy Purdy (and two other co-founders) after having her legs amputated below the knee due to a complications from Bacterial Meningitis. AAS "creates opportunities for individuals with permanent physical disabilities to participate in 'action sports' and or the art and music scene that follows them."

"Having autism doesn't mean you can't live your dreams,"

By the now, the story of Jason McElwain from nearby Greece Athena High School in Rochester is well known. And here is the rest of it.

Murderball becomes Wheelchair Rugby

The loud thud of colliding chairs and the competitive juices of athletes battling for the Canada Cup...this is 2008 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament We want our teachers to look at their students abilities and what they can accomplish. This sentiment is echoed throughout this ESPN clip of the only full-contact sport for athletes with a disability.

Popper turned dance Phillip Chbeeb - SYTYCD 4

SYTYCD 4 contestant Phillip Chbeeb made it to the Vegas auditions last year but was eliminated mainly because he wasn't really a dancer and could not adapt and perform like the other contestants. As an engineering student, he practiced all year on his dances (mostly footwork) with Marvelous Motion Crew in Houston. If he can combine his new footwork with the "boneless/fluid" moves and his popping and locking - look out!

Quidditch in schools

Enlisting your students' fantasies and things they already know and like. If your students know about Harry Potter and the game of Quidditch, why not use that fact to your advantage. Obviously, this means you really have to get to know your students and what they do OUTSIDE of the classroom. As I often tell you, you should be making as big of an impact on students outside of the classroom as you do inside the classroom and in the gym.

Michael Spriggs - Wrestling Blind

Michael Spriggs, a high school wrestler born visually impaired, made it to the Maryland State Championships with perseverance and complete dedication to achieving his goals. Focus on what the individual CAN DO and not what they can't do.

Teach the individual