Disability Awareness

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Disability Awareness teaches students about disabilities, and the power of acceptance, empathy, and respect for all.

Developed by our team of educators and revised annually, Disability Awareness teaches youth in preKindergarten through twelfth grade with a developmentally appropriate, standards-based curriculum.

GRADE LEVEL THEMES

Elementary

PreK	Everybody Plays
Kindergarten	Everybody is Different
Grade 1	Everybody Needs Help
Grade 2	Uniquely Me: Blindness
Grade 3	Living With a Disability
Grade 4	Everybody Learns Differently
Grade 5	Communication Differences

Intermediate

Grade 6	Breaking Down Barriers
Grade 7	Invisible Disabilities
Grade 8	Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

High School

Grades 9-10	Barriers to Communication
Grades 11-12	What People with Disabilities Wish You Knew

Core program elements include, but are not limited to, comprehensive curriculum guides, thematic and engaging lessons, recorded Joseph Maley Foundation puppet shows and Joseph Maley Foundation speakers, program planning meetings with Foundation staff, ongoing program support, and much more!

If you are interested in bringing Disability Awareness to your school, please contact Lead Education Manager, Stephanie Becher at sbecher@josephmaley.org

TESTIMONIALS

“[Disability Awareness] is a wonderful program! I’ve spoken with other teachers outside our district to tell them about how this program easily introduces ways that students can be inclusive of all students.”

– Teacher, Allisonville Elementary

“Overall, my experience with the Joseph Maley Foundation was excellent….The respect my students and I have gained for one another and our school community is amazing!”

– Teacher, Washington Woods Elementary

“I was happy to see my students’ empathy and understanding grow for their classmates with autism.” –

-Teacher, Westlane Middle School

“I am so glad we partnered with Joseph Maley Foundation. It’s our first year and I can already see an impact. General awareness of others has risen. I cannot wait to see what this partnership does year after year. I’m so thankful for this!”

– Administrator, IPS Butler University Lab School 55

“I love that the people in your videos are authentic. It helps students who feel that they don’t have a role model ‘just like them’ see that there are a lot of different role models out there.”

– Teacher, St. Richard’s Episcopal School

“I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for creating this wonderful Disability Awareness program! We are having so many amazing moments and conversations, and finding connections right here in our community.”

– Administrator, St. Mark Catholic School