How Do You Turn Cannot into I Will?

HOW DO YOU TURN
CANNOT INTO I WILL?

AN IN DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF ABILITY AWARENESS.

Created by : Kaitlin Hare
Intro to Education

VOCABULARY & FOCUS

The objectives of this book is to help others Disability: physical or mental condition
understand ability awareness and different
accommodations for those who need extra Ability Awareness: being aware of one's
help with learning. As well as embracing the strengths and weakness and using them for the
differences in everyone and realizing the better

benefits of different learning styles. Motivation: willingness to succeed

PETOHPELEWAORROLUDND 1 - Mobility and Physical Impairments Figure 1
2 - Spinal Cord Disability
There are many different types of 3 - Head Injuries / Brain Disability
people in the world and no one is the 4 - Vision Disability
exact same. Some people have blue 5 - Hearing Disability
eyes, while others might have brown. 6 - Cognitive or Learning Disabilities
Some are left handed as others are 7 - Psychological Disorders
right handed. These characteristics 8 - Invisible Disabilities
don't determine whether or not we can
or cannot do something and don't A disability is a condition that a person can have that might affect and
define us. They are just apart of who limit daily living activities. According to DisabledWorld.com, there are 8
you are. Just like disabilities. different kinds of disabilities that include physical or mental conditions
(Figure 1.)

People with disabilities may have issues with daily activities like eating,
tying shoes, walking, or even learning. Even though they have a disability
they are like everyone else wanting to reach a goal or succeed in their
dreams. You can help them succeed by being aware of their abilities.

Often times people are uneducated or don't think certain people can or
should perform task based on their ability; however, if you try your hardest
and give it your all, you can succeed.

ABILITY AWARENESS Up Close:

Ability awareness is being able to "My younger brother broke both
differentiate a person's strengths and his legs after a dirt bike incident
weaknesses. Then using their strengths to help before school was starting. After
understand certain classroom lessons or be able going to several Physical
to carry out functions of living. It is being able Therapy sessions he was down
to understand a person and using their abilities on himself because he wouldn't
to succeed their end goals. be able to walk through the
doors on his first day ever of
Often times, it is easy to get down about high school. His friends from
yourself when you do something wrong or aren't school and our family created a card and all
able to do it right. Many people just need the signed it to wish him well on his recovery. This
extra motivational push to succeed while others helped my brother in a positive manner by
need accommodations. When teaching, you giving him the motivation needed to work
should never approach a person with the mindset hard and be able to walk (with the help of
of them not being able to accomplish goals. It is crutches) before school started. Overall,
important to keep a positive attitude by positive manners and motivation go a long
cheering them on and helping them understand way in helping people succeed."
their mistakes.
Motivation

Pt.1 HOW TO ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS IN A CLASSROOM:

When accommodating students, you need to assure the student that you are there
to help them and give them a motivational jump. Make sure to consider their abilities
and determine their strengths and weaknesses. By doing so, you can use their
strengths to help them understand and work on their weaknesses. For example, if a
student is hard of hearing you can move their seat to the front of the classroom.
Overtime you will have to check up on them, making sure they are progressing. Many
students like to keep to themselves and not trouble others. They are often quiet and
don't want to ask questions when they don't understand. By checking up on them,
they feel comfortable to ask questions.

PAUSE AND REFLECT QUESTION:

How do you think students feel when
they are unable to understand
lessons?

What are some ways that aren't listed
in which you could help them?

Pt.2 ACCOMMODATIONS

Here are some senarios where students might need help and how to accommodate to them.

SENARIOS ACCOMMODATION

student is a slow reader because of create songs to help with
dyslexia; however, loves music  reading or play instruments
young male student is unable to count using toy cars, one-on-
focus on counting due to ADHD one time
young student has no verbal talk using pictures and teach
communication but loves art colors by painting

STEP BY STEP:

1. Assure Student You are There to Help
2. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses
3. Find Solutions through Strengths
4. Find Solutions through Weaknesses
5. Check for Improvements
6. Motivate. Don't stop!

EWMHBYRIASCIET AIMBPILOITRYTAANWTATROENESS?
There are so many different types of people in the world.
No one is the same. Instead of comparing yourself to others,
it is important to embrace the differences.
Many people struggle with depression or anxiety when
comparing themselves to others. It is important to lift others
up and notice everything they are capable of instead of
telling them they can't. This will improve their motivation and
potentially their mental health.

Ability awareness will help others with disabilities and
other mental or physical issues succeed int the world. They
need to feel like they are apart of something great and are
needed by others.

Up Close:

"Kimber is in 4th grade and is exceptional at dancing as she has a
lot of energy. She loves to talk to other students and help them
with their homework after she gets done. She also stays on top of
her class assignments with the help of adults that explain lessons
to her. Kimber has down syndrome and no matter what, is
unstoppable."

ABILITY AWARENESS BENEFITS Pause and Reflect Question:

Understanding ability awareness can challenge not only Can you think of other ways ability
yourself as a teacher but others around you as peers. awareness can positively affect
Society is always changing; however, we still have people
that don't accept others based on differences. Having a society?
diverse class will help create more curriculum and let
others be more accepting or expose them to those who
are different.

Ability awareness also benefits
the student who is or may be
struggling. Finding their strengths
and weaknesses will be able to open
a lead way to their success. This will
them help them graduate school,
achieve dance competitions, or any
other dream.

OUR FINAL WORD

Ability awareness is using one's strengths and weaknesses in a positive manner to help them
reach their goals. Everyone is different and may need help but don't want to reach out.
Remember to take in all matters including: home life, disabilities, or other issues, before
helping a student. Negative attitudes and thinking students cannot do certain things will not
help them succeed. Always keep an open mind and use your creative skills when helping.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION YOUR FINAL WORD

These websites contain more information When was a time that you thought, "I can't do
regarding disabilities and how to help teach children this"? How did it make you feel?

with disabilities:

https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/ What do you wish someone would have done to
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/autism- help you?
learning-disabilities/helping-children-with-
learning-disabilities.htm Who motivates you the most and why? Think
about other ways in which you can motivate

others to succeed.

KEY TERMS:

Ability Awareness Disability  Strengths Weaknesses Motivation