“The Understanding Our Differences program provides important instruction to students about differences, which supports teachers' ongoing efforts to create students with empathy and understanding of the experiences of all students in and outside of their school.”
Steve GriffinElementary school principal
School Programs
What children know about disabilities is not measured on any standardized test. Intolerance, name-calling and bullying are persistent problems in schools, affecting all students – especially those with disabilities or individual differences.
The Understanding Our Differences program demystifies a range of physical, sensory and developmental disabilities. In this flexible, interactive program, students develop empathy and respect as they learn to “see the person and not the disability.”
Please contact us if you would like to learn how to bring Understanding Our Differences to your school, classroom or youth program. Also, we welcome you to review our FAQ here. Our curriculum is for sale at a very reasonable cost.
Students who participate:
- Gain knowledge of a range of disabilities
- Develop understanding and respect through hands-on, experiential learning
- Expand perceptions of how people are different – and the same
- Become more comfortable talking and reaching out to people with disabilities
- Are less likely to engage in or tolerate bullying
The Understanding Our Differences Program, developed by educators, medical professionals and other experts in the field, is based on the belief that children can best understand the importance of inclusion when they learn about, experience, and have personal contact with people who have disabilities.
The flexible program seamlessly fits into most 3rd to 5th grade curriculum and includes two-hour instructional units related to:
- Allergic Conditions
- Asthma
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Blindness and Low Vision
- Deafness and Hard of Hearing
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Intellectual disabilities
- Learning disabilities
- Physical disabilities