Program

The IDEA Project’s disability awareness program consists of a group assembly followed by individual activity stations, all of which are tailored to meet the developmental stage and grade level of your students. The program introduces students to the idea of differences and what it is like to have different abilities.

The 40-minute assembly is an interactive program during which students are encouraged to be part of the discussion and to participate in interactive group activities. An inspiring video is shown of children with different abilities doing things others might not expect them to do. The purpose is to show that although everyone is different in their own way, we can find similarities and ways that everyone can participate in activities.

After the assembly portion has concluded, students will rotate through activity stations. The stations allow students to experience different types of disabilities such as sensory processing issues, communication delays, and physical impairments in order to enhance their understanding and encourage empathy.

The program can be tailored to kindergarten and 1st grade students, 2nd and 3rd grade students, or 4th and 5th grade students. The program for each group can be completed in under 2 hours and, if desired, can be spread over the course of a few days.

The IDEA Project fulfills the Washington State requirement for disability awareness assemblies per WAC 28A.230.158.