Disability Awareness in the Classroom: A Resource Tool for Teachers and Students

The purpose of this book is to reduce the discomfort and alienation of teachers and students regarding people with disabilities through the use of written and photographic materials. It aims to dispel misconceptions that contribute to stereotyping and in general to blur the divisions between two segments of our society: those with disabilities and those without. Disability Awareness in the Classroom provides excellent training for general education teachers and students preparing for inclusion or wanting to enhance their inclusion experiences. Each chapter contains ideas for classroom activities, discussion, and curriculum planning. The separate packet of large 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 photo cards which accompany the book will give readers the opportunity to look at the 'differentness' of others without inhibition and without hurting anyoneís feelings. Even when a class has had included students in the past, a presentation on acceptance of differences is an invaluable topic and will benefit students not only in the school environment but also in their personal lives. Teachers and students together need to be able to look inquisitively at the differences in others, to identify the similarities, and to ask questions and formulate answers and opinions, and this book will help fill that need.