We want to help our community better understand what it means to be living with a disability and how we, as a community, can support those living with a disability!
Disability Educational Outreach fosters the inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of society. This means that people with disabilities have more options and people without disabilities benefit from the experience of a more diverse society.
We offer free trainings at/for:
- College and University courses
- Human Service Agencies
- Professional organizations
- Businesses
- Residential centers
- Service organizations and clubs
- Religious groups
- School-aged children in school classrooms, school clubs, after-school programs, youth groups and summer camps. (Read more below.)
People with disabilities are all around – they are your neighbors, friends, family members, employees, employers, consumers, and advisors. Include them!
Our Outreach Specialists use their training and personal experiences to help community members understand:
- What it is like living with a disability
- Various types of disabilities
- Disability etiquette including how to interact with people with disabilities and what language is appropriate to describe disabilities
- Myths and stereotypes when it comes to living with a disability
- How to welcome people with disabilities into your life, business, or organization
- How to work with students or children with disabilities
- Various assistive equipment, service animals and tools needed for independent living
- Accessibility and universal design
- The Americans with Disabilities Act and employment, transportation, public accommodation, and telecommunication laws
- The Independent Living Movement
- American Sign Language or Braille
Our Outreach Specialists can educate through:
- Small or large group discussions.
- Small group or panel discussions about disability rights and diversity.
- Role-playing exercises.
- Demonstrations, including those of assistive equipment and American Sign Language.
Reaching children:
Our unique outreach programs for children are very popular in Tompkins County schools. We introduce children to disabilities in a non-threatening, matter-of-fact way. Our presentations can include informal discussions, questions, role-playing, games, equipment demonstrations, and videos.
Our unique outreach programs for children are very popular in Tompkins County schools. We introduce children to disabilities in a non-threatening, matter-of-fact way. Our presentations can include informal discussions, questions, role-playing, games, equipment demonstrations, and videos.
Children learn about:
- How all people are similar yet unique.
- What it is like to live with a disability.
- How to interact with people with disabilities.
- How to be friends with children with disabilities.
- How to include children with disabilities in daily activities.
- How to move beyond stereotypes about people with disabilities.
- How technology, service animals and other aids can help independence.
Our Outreach Specialists reach children through:
- Role playing, including how to offer assistance to a person with a disability or about how words can hurt.
- Sharing personal experiences with disabilities.
- Discussing appropriate words to describe disabilities.
- Demonstrating Signing Sam, a teddy bear who uses American Sign Language.
- Introducing PI Bear and his wheelchair.
People with disabilities live good lives . . . just like you!
We offer free trainings at/for:
- After School Programs
- Religious groups
- Residential centers
- School classes
- School clubs
- Summer camps
- Youth groups