Spread the news!
As part of our solution it is important to educate yourself and others on this issue. Do your part and SPREAD IT!
Some things we have came up with are:
RAISE AWARENESS
-nothing ever gets done if no one knows of the issue. Unless you or someone you know is personally affected by this issue, it is hard to care on a more personal level. However, something as simple as a like, share or retweet of posts you see online can go a long way. Recently, Canucksautism started a campaign where they asked everyone to share their post educating people on autism! This went viral and they had to cap their donations after the first 10,000 people, raising $10,000! The more we know and understand each others differences and challenges, the more accepting we will become. Using the internet, information can be spread in a quick and accessible manner. I suggest utilizing social media sites like instagram and Twitter. Create fun and engaging posts that will make your reader want to learn more. #specialeducation #possABILITIES #inclusiveeducation. This can help spread the news on a GLOBAL scale. It is much easier now than ever before to connect with people around the world, and to learn from different experts in different parts of the world. Utilizing hashtags can get certain topics "trending."
"Social media has been instrumental in bringing global attention to local problems. The world is getting smaller despite our population getting larger. We are made aware of events across the world as they happen. Twitter trends are an indication of what is important to people from across the globe. Worldwide events have been instigated, marketed, and reported through current social media. Everyday people have made their mark and skyrocketed to fame with the support of social media" -Persad 2019.
FUNDING
-There has been a 22 year campaign to change the special education assessment policy. It shares how if you a rich, you are better off in signing them up for additional programs which will contribute to their overall learning. If you do not have money, it is much more difficult. By developing go-fund-me pages as well as campaigns where anyone can donate, will help abolish the issue of lack of money to help with special educational programs. Despite the set back in recent cuts from the provincial government, privately funding to give this population what they equally deserve can help in so many ways. More funding results in better access to resources, more teachers and support works for individualized learning.
Looking for larger corporations to potentially sponsor certain programs that will help increase resources in the classroom that will assist in the learning opportunities for those with disabilities who need more assistance. This will especially help in after school support programs for adults who do not have the means to afford their continual learning and support services outside of high school. This solution will bridge the gaps and allow those in special education classrooms to communicate, collaborate, create, and think critically.
EDUCATE/CHALLENGE YOURSELF
-there are plenty of groups that have long-standing campaigns to help change the lives of those with developmental disabilities. For example, P4E 'regularly tracks and reports on the impact of government policies as experienced by people in schools across the province. It advocates for changes to multiple policy issues, thereby offering the opportunity to compare campaigns where rhetorical strategies were similar but outcomes were different.' Learn about the benefits inclusive education environments create! It is said that even in the workplace, a more diverse environment by having people with disabilities actually creates a more happy and positive space! "They also described their employees with disabilities as loyal, reliable, and hardworking. An additional benefit to hiring people with disabilities was the diversification of work settings, which led to an overall positive work environment.” -Forbes 2012
Check it Out!
CREATE FREE OF CHARGE PROGRAMS or DEVELOP ONLINE PROGRAMS TARGETED FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES
-At Wilfrid Laurier University, I have lead a program that targets adults with developmental disabilities reach their fullest potential, fostering independence while learning financial literacy and employability skills. This program is free-of-charge as we have an amazing group of volunteers from Laurier who are passionate about making a positive difference in our participants lives. This eliminates any barriers that individuals who may not have the monetary means, to learn important skills. We have recently began to actually employ some of these individuals through other programs ran at Laurier. We work closely with them to teach them about budgeting as well as build their confidence so when they are done with our "internship program" they will have a greater chance of getting employed else where. By developing programs to give this population what they need in order to be successful, will allow them the chance to reach their potential like everyone else who goes through the education system.
VISIT:
http://www.enactuslaurier.ca/enterprises/mighty-hawks
By creating an online platform which will allow the individual personalized and customizable services to further their education will fix the issue of current lack of funding and support. As I have learned in the EM203 course at Laurier, the internet and technological tools are very powerful in creating a platform for further education and to assist in learning by doing, a method that is most effective for this population. Digital technology is the way of the current world, it has been incorporated in classrooms and will continue to in future years. By developing an online program catered to the specific individual based on their needs, can create a more positive experience in them receiving the help they need to achieve equal opportunities for education and potentially jobs in the future. "Digital technology has the potential to support communication in a multitude of forms, with a variety of people, in endless contexts" (Persad 2019).