For Immediate Release From The Arc of Maryland!
From December 2nd to 6th, join students, teachers, and schools across the country in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week! This year's theme, Every Voice Matters, echoes the fundamental belief that every individual has a unique perspective and contributes to the rich tapestry of our school communities.
You can celebrate Inclusive Schools Week through the Together We're Better (TWB) program, which includes a variety of resources for students, teachers, and parents! The Arc Maryland, the Maryland State Department of Education, The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Maryland Department of Disabilities share the TWB program with you to raise awareness of the value and importance of inclusion of students with disabilities. Learn about resources and opportunities through TWB below!
Make an impact in classroom inclusion with Together We’re Better (TWB)! Inclusive education significantly contributes to the educational experience of all students and enriches the diversity in classroom learning, providing all students expanded opportunities for a better understanding of the world, those around them, and themselves.
The Arc Maryland, along with its statewide partners, shares the TWB program with you to raise awareness of the value and importance of inclusion of students with disabilities. TWB includes a variety of resources for students, teachers, and parents alike!
Together We’re Better is possible with support from our program partners – the Maryland Department of Disabilities, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Maryland State Department of Education.
Together, We're Better Impact Report:
The Arc Maryland, Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Department of
Disabilities, and the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council have partnered on the
statewide “Together We’re Better” (TWB) inclusive education campaign since 2004.
What started as a classroom poster contest, has grown into a multi-pronged program
where students are engaged through in-person learning and extension activities in their
schools and local communities.
The TWB campaign exists to raise awareness and increase acceptance of everyone,
highlighting the value and importance of meaningful inclusion for students with disabilities.
PROGRAM HISTORY
The primary components of the program are:
Diversity Celebration Toolkit
Contains activity ideas, sample lesson plans for teachers, videos, books, and other
resources to promote inclusion and full participation for all students. Available for
electronic download on The Arc Maryland's website.
Disability Awareness & Acceptance Presentations
An interactive exploration of individual differences and commonalities for schools
across the State of Maryland! Visit The Arc Maryland's website to learn more about
scheduling an assembly at your school.
Elementary and Middle School Artwork Contest
Students create pieces of unique artwork based on the December 2023 National
Inclusive Schools Week theme, "Draw Me In!"
High School Drawing Contest
Students submit original drawings that show how inclusion benefits us all. These
drawings are used as pages in a coloring book for younger children to enjoy.
Public Displays of Artwork Throughout Maryland
Artwork is showcased at State Government buildings, County libraries, public
venues, local Parks and Recreation centers, and on social media.
Together, we can create a more inclusive world for everyone; where children with
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are fully included in all
aspects of life and have equal access to opportunities to succeed!
In 2023, this project was supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,201,464 with 100% funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Read the full Report HERE!:
https://thearcmd.org/wp-content/uploads/20... ****
Elementary and Middle School Art Contest
Elementary and middle schoolers can demonstrate what they know and how they feel about inclusion by creating artwork that aligns with the Inclusive Schools Week theme, Every Voice Matters. From the artwork submissions, winning students can receive prizes for themselves and their schools! All submissions also go on a traveling display tour across Maryland, where they are displayed in community libraries and other public places! Learn more and get started through the button below!
The Arc Maryland, with its statewide partners, provides a school inclusion program called “Together We’re Better” (TWB) to raise awareness of the value and importance of inclusion of students with disabilities. One program component is our Art Contest for elementary and middle school students. Each year, we invite students from across Maryland to submit artwork that incorporates the themes below!
Artwork Themes:
https://thearcmd.org/programs/twb/artwork-... The National Inclusive Schools Theme this year is “Every Voice Matters.”
We are better together.
We are more alike than different.
Respect and care for others.
Our different abilities make us stronger
Contest Flyer and Entry Form HERE!:
https://thearcmd.org/wp-content/uploads/20... Concurso de dibujo para las escuelas primarias e intermedia:
https://thearcmd.org/wp-content/uploads/20... ****
High School Coloring Book Drawing Contest
2023-24 High School First Place Winning Drawing
High schoolers can help educate younger students about disability inclusion by submitting drawings to include in the Together We're Better Coloring Book, centering around the same theme, Every Voice Matters. The coloring book is printed and provided to younger elementary school students, and available in many Maryland libraries and online. Prizes for top submissions are available for students and their schools! Get started through the button below.
Download Coloring Book HERE!:
https://www.thearcmd.org/wp-content/upload... High School Coloring Book Contest Submission Form:
https://thearcmd.org/wp-content/uploads/20... Contest Deadline: January 15, 2025
****
Disability Awareness and Inclusive Education Workshops
The Arc Maryland team visits schools to educate students and staff on disabilities and how inclusion works! In-school presentations are available for classes and whole schools across the state. From pre-K to high school, we have a presentation for your school! Read more on our website below.
Together We’re Better includes in-school presentations to enhance positive attitudes and break down stereotypes of people with disabilities. The presentations convey the importance of social inclusivity and inclusive schools for students.
You can check out educational videos about growing up with a disability and inclusion below. You can also schedule in-school presentations with Marylanders with disabilities for classes during the 2024-25 school year! To schedule a free presentation, contact Natalie Dohner at ndohner@thearcmd.org today. Learn more HERE!:
https://thearcmd.org/programs/twb/presenta... ****
Diversity Celebration Toolkit
Our extensive Diversity Celebration Toolkit aligns with the Maryland State Curriculum Indicators for teachers, counselors, volunteers, and other staff in preparing lesson plans and activities for students to celebrate inclusive schools and diverse abilities of all students. The Toolkit was developed to use with your students either in the classroom or virtually online. This toolkit embraces and celebrates the differences of every child while promoting awareness and inclusion.
Diversity Celebration Toolkit:
https://thearcmd.org/wp-content/uploads/20... ********
Join Maryland Technology Assistance Program
https://www.facebook.com/MDODTAP for a webinar on Dec. 4 to learn about Home Modification and Tech Assistance you may be eligible for, and how to access these resources.
Home modifications are changes that can help people with disabilities live independently. These changes include things like ramps and smart home technology.
Learn more about how to make these changes more affordable! Sign up for the Maryland Technology Assistance Program webinar on Wednesday, December 4, 2024" :
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Fundin... VISIT:
www.thearcmd.org
Posted By: agnes levine
Monday, December 2nd 2024 at 1:58PM
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