“Accept, Connect, Include”

2014-2015 FASC

State Project

Tori Cartwright

FASC President

What Is It?

• “Accept, Connect, Include” is a program that focuses on improving the school environment and creating a feeling of acceptance for Intellectually Disabled students.

Intellectual Disability

• What is an Intellectual Disability?-

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Intellectual disability is a term used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as communicating, taking care of him or herself, and social skills

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• Intellectual Disability can be caused by many things, including genetics, problems during birth, and other complications

Some Facts

• More than 545,000 children (ages 6-21) have some level of intellectual disability and receive special education services in public school. Most public schools have a Special Education class.
• People with an Intellectual Disability score below a 70 on the IQ test. The average score is 100.
• Intellectual Disability was called Mental Retardation until very recently

Intellectual Disability in Schools

As of 2012-

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• 14.3% of Florida students age 3-21 have a disability
• About 66% of these students spend the same amount of time at school as we do
• Only 71% graduate

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Problems Faced by Disabled Students

• Difficulty adapting to everyday life

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• Social Isolation

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• Bullying

What Can We Do?

• The main goal of “Accept, Connect, Include” is to create an accepting and safe environment at our schools for those students with Intellectual Disabilities
• There are many ways to do this:

Special Olympics

• The Special Olympics programs were started in the 1950’s by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The first official event was in 1968
• The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities
• Special Olympics is always looking for volunteers

Best Buddies

• Since 1995, Best Buddies has been pairing middle and high school students with students who have disabilities
• There are over 100 schools that already have a Best Buddies program
• Volunteering with your Best Buddies program is a great way to form relationships with these special students
• For more information, visit the Best Buddies website

More Organizations

• Nathaniel’s Hope Buddy Break
• A festival for people with disabilities of any kind

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• The Arc
• Promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

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Making a Difference

• This is my cousin Emily. When she was a baby, she had a febrile seizure caused by a very high fever. Although most febrile seizures leave no lasting effect, Emily developed an intellectual disability.
• Emily went to school until she was 22, and now…….
• Emily is very active with Special Olympics. She has won many awards in bowling, cycling, and swimming
• I love her so much, and she is an inspiration to me

At Our Schools

• What can we do at our own schools?
• Have your 9th and 10th grade members go in a group with these students to prom.
• Intellectually disabled kids who are going to prom should have friends to dance with too!
• Start a Best Buddies club
• Best Buddies is a great way to form relationships with these special students and make them feel accepted and included.

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At Our Schools

• Those schools that have a Leadership class: make time to go into their class and help with academics.
• Go with them to PE and play games.
• Work on arts and crafts together.
• Host holiday parties.
• Be creative - just get involved!

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“Accept, Connect, Include”

Ask me questions and tell me about your ideas! Share you pictures and stories of how you made a difference in the lives of these very special students.

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tori.cartwright@yahoo.com

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