DFRC's Awareness through Education Programs
"Better Than a Reality Show"
On Tuesday, March 18, 2008, DFRC's Awareness through Education program will hold and event for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students at Salesianum School in Wilmington.
DFRC, working hand-in-hand with Special Olympics Delaware will present, "Better Than a Reality Show," a program where the students will learn about the real lives and see the real talents of fellow Delawareans who will share their stories. Through program, the students will learn to recognize and respect the gifts of others, and help them to develop their own unique talents.
Admission is free, however you must call DFRC at (302) 454-2730 to reserve space for your students.
Kyle Maynard - Wrestler, Author, ESPY Award Winner featured at 2008 DFRC Education Awareness Program
Kyle Maynard, author of "No Excuses," visited Tower Hill School on Thursday, January 31, 2008 as part of DFRC's outreach programs to expose Delaware's middle and high school populations to the accomplishments of persons with disabilities.
The News Journal/SUCHAT PEDERSON
Thanks to the generous cooperation of Tower Hill's Green and White Club, Mr. Maynard spoke and took questions during a free public event held in the Pierre S. du Pont Arts Center on the Tower Hill campus that evening. Mr. Maynard was introduced by Elizabeth Nolan, who is a Special Olympics athlete and an active member of DFRC's family of volunteer committees.
The News Journal papers online site has pictures from Mr. Maynard's visit.
DFRC's Awareness Programs in the Schools
DFRC has been working with Delaware schools to develop programs for children in grades 4th through 8th. We promote understanding cognitive disabilities as a natural part of the human experience and work to raise awareness about diversity and acceptance. Our volunteers help share our message that a person is not defined by his or her disability. The disability is just a part of who that person is. The program includes learning about the abilities of persons with cognitive disability and physical disability.
Examples of different formats:
- The Tower Hill School was the first school to offer a disability awareness elective. The twelve-session course meets weekly and is repeated three times during the school year to reach all seventh grade students.
- Other schools have elected to participate in the full or half “conference day” format where members of the community who are differently abled share their life experiences.
- DFRC supports outreach and cooperation programs between the Richardson Park Learning Center and the Charter School of Wilmington.
Petey author Ben Mikaelsen speaks with Delaware school students
In 2007, DFRC brought author Ben Mikaelsen to Delaware to speak with the nearly 800
students who read his book Petey as part of our Awareness Through Education program.
After his school tour, Mikaelsen spoke to educators and other interested persons at the Center for Disabilities Studies on the campus of the University of Delaware in Newark about “Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World.”
Check out Petey on the Ben Mikaelsen website
First DFRC Bookmark Contest Winners Announced
DFRC has announced the winners of its
first Bookmark Contest. The contest was held in conjunction with the study by students of the book, Petey by Ben Mikaelsen, and the author’s visit to Delaware schools sponsored by DFRC in March 2007.
Ben Mikaelsen spoke with over 800 students who have read his novel about a boy born with cerebral palsy and the friends he encounters on his journey through life. Mr. Mikaelsen’s talk “Becoming the Author of Your Own Life” encourages and inspires students to spend more time reading and writing.
The first place winners each received a $100 savings bond.
To see a larger image (and to download your own Petey bookmark) click on the picture above.
