All this week, Park Tudor Middle School students have been participating in disABILITY Awareness Week. One important objective of this week is to help dispel perceptions others may have of people living with disabilities that are visible and those not seen on the surface.
As in years past, we partnered with the Joseph Maley Foundation to create an informative and impactful week for our students. Morning advisory has been extended each morning, and a daily lesson provided a focus for each day. On Wednesday, the Middle School hosted guest speaker Tiffany Porter during Advisory; Tiffany is a frequent speaker on disability awareness and acceptance.
On Tuesday, eighth graders participated in a Disability Awareness Scavenger Hunt. Although we can never truly replicate disability, the Joseph Maley Foundation provided equipment that some students wore to simulate challenges faced by those with particular disabilities. Students worked in small teams to navigate the scavenger hunt around campus while some wore the simulation equipment. JMF staff members were on campus to help lead the experience. Additionally, some 6th grade students were challenged by wearing the simulation equipment during part of the school day on Wednesday. Last week, 7th grade students began their Disability Awareness Week experience with a special advisory lesson on Autism Spectrum Disorder.
