DISABILITY AWARENESS

INTRODUCTION

Following is a mediagraphy, a collection of video resources, on the topic of disability awareness. This mediagraphy was created for use in a middle school.

NEEDS & STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Partly due to the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997, almost every classroom today includes a number of students who are dealing with a disability – either physical, educational, emotional, or a combination of all three (U.S. Department of Labor). Creating positive relationships among students should be one of the goals in inclusionary classrooms. Educating people about disabilities helps to promote awareness, understanding, and acceptance.

WHY VIDEO?
For students who have had little experience with people with visible disabilities, it can be difficult to explain different disabilities and the challenges they present. Videos are a good choice for this topic because they may better help students to visualize difficult-to-understand concepts. Students generally respond well to visual narratives, and videos provide visual, meaningful examples of the differences and similarities among all people.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Selection of materials was based on:

• Format
• Level of interest
• Age/grade level appropriateness
• Favorable reviews and recommendations

ANNOTATED MEDIAGRAPHY

TITLE	Kidability
FORMAT	VHS video; 26 min.
DATE	1999
PUBLISHER	Program Development Associates (PDA) http://www.pdassoc.com/
SUMMARY	Narrated/Hosted by teenagers, children and adults are interviewed and talk about their disabilities and how they deal with them Aimed at fostering sensitivity towards others and acceptance of people with disabilities Provides general disability etiquette guidelines
KEY WORD(S)	Disability awareness; assistive technology; physically handicapped
GRADE LEVEL/AGE	Grades K-12
VENDOR	Program Development Associates (PDA) P.O. Box 2038 Syracuse, NY 13220-2038 Phone: 800-543-2119 315-452-0643 http://www.pdassoc.com/
PRODUCT NO.	#KIDA989W
COST	$89.00
REVIEW(S)	“Overall, a useful tool for raising disability awareness.” Booklist, 6/2000
OTHER INFORMATION	Preview available online at: http://www.pdassoc.com/preview.html 2000 Telly Award 2000 Gold CINDY Award

TITLE	Small Differences
FORMAT	VHS video; 20 min.
DATE	1995
PUBLISHER	Allegheny County/City of Pittsburgh Task Force on Disabilities
SUMMARY	Video was taped by disabled and non-disabled students; students were given video cameras and trained in interviewing techniques Students interviewed each other, their parents, and disabled people working in the community Shows that the more time disabled and non-disabled kids spend together, the more they have in common Video was professionally edited and then narrated by the children that shot it
KEY WORD(S)	Disability awareness; physically handicapped; guidance for children; physical impairments
GRADE LEVEL/AGE	Youth
VENDOR	Program Development Associates (PDA) P.O. Box 2038 Syracuse, NY 13220-2038 Phone: 800-543-2119 315-452-0643 http://www.pdassoc.com/
PRODUCT NO.	#SD779W
COST	$79.00
REVIEW(S)	“Recommended for both schools and public libraries.” Video Librarian
OTHER INFORMATION	Includes a Study Guide which introduces the film and includes questions and activities for children/students 39^th Annual International CINDY Competition – Bronze Award 1996 Disability Film Festival – Disability Information and Education 1996 CHRIS Award – Columbus International Video and Film Festival 1995 Silver Apple Award – National Education Media Network

TITLE	The Story of the Stranger
FORMAT	VHS video; 50 min.
DATE	1993
PUBLISHER	Axis Consultation and Training Nanaimo, B. C. http://www.normemma.com/
SUMMARY	Live recording of Norman Kunc, well-known disabilities rights advocate, at a high school assembly Kunc describes his experience with cerebral palsy attending a regular high school Stresses the importance of creating a sense of belonging for all students
KEY WORD(S)	Disability awareness; awareness and attitudes; attitudes education; inclusion philosophy; cultural diversity; cerebral palsy
GRADE LEVEL/AGE	Grades 6 to adult
VENDOR	Axis Consultation and Training 340 Machleary Street Nanaimo, B. C. Phone: 250-754-9939 http://www.normemma.com/
COST	$50.00
REVIEW(S)	“He encourages students and teachers to value their own diversity and to look for the stories in each other.”
OTHER INFORMATION	Preview video excerpts online at: http://www.normemma.com/vidstory.htm Audio cassette also available; $13.00

TITLE	Just Like Anyone Else: Living with Disabilities
FORMAT	VHS video; 30 min.
DATE	1990
PUBLISHER	Human Relations Video http://www.hrmvideo.com/
SUMMARY	Video shows individuals with physical disabilities in every day activities – playing basketball in wheelchairs, deaf students at a junior prom, etc.
KEY WORD(S)	Disability awareness; physically handicapped
GRADE LEVEL/AGE	Grades 7-12
VENDOR	Human Relations Media 41 Kensico Drive Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 Phone: 1-800-431-2050 http://www.hrmvideo.com/
PRODUCT NO.	ID 860
COST	$59.00
OTHER INFORMATION	Includes Video and Teacher’s Resource Book

TITLE	What’s Normal?: Overcoming Obstacles and Stereotyping
FORMAT	VHS video; 30 min.
DATE	2001
PUBLISHER	CastleWorks Productions http://www.castleworks.com/
SUMMARY	Teens discuss obstacles of living with a variety of disabilities Points out that everyone is different in some way Promotes knowledge, empathy, and understanding of differences
KEY WORD(S)	Disability awareness; adolescence; family and relationships
GRADE LEVEL/AGE	Grades 7-adult; Ages 12-17
VENDOR	Library Video Company http://www.libraryvideo.com
PRODUCT NO.	#F0026
COST	$69.95
REVIEW(S)	“…focuses on the commonalities shared by kids everywhere, helping them to replace social barriers with bridges. Highly recommended.” Video Librarian “This excellent program can be used in any class or group where teachers want to acknowledge and respect individual differences.” School Library Journal
OTHER INFORMATION	Preview of video clips and transcript available online at: http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/whatsnormal_index.html Part of the “In the Mix” series as seen on PBS

TITLE	Educating Peter
FORMAT	VHS video; 30 min.
DATE	1993
PUBLISHER	Aquarius Productions, Inc. Medfield, MA http://www.aquariusproductions.com
SUMMARY	Film chronicles Peter Gwazdauskas’; a third-grade student with Down’s syndrome, first school year in a “regular” classroom Shows the difficult, but rewarding, adjustment of Peter, his teacher, and the other students
KEY WORD(S)	Disability awareness; Downs Syndrome
GRADE LEVEL/AGE	All ages
VENDOR	Program Development Associates (PDA) P.O. Box 2038 Syracuse, NY 13220-2038 Phone: 800-543-2119 315-452-0643 http://www.pdassoc.com/
PRODUCT NO.	#EP109W
COST	$79.00
OTHER INFORMATION	Video preview available online at: http://www.wellme.com/products/disabilities/educatingpeter.html 1992 Academy Award – Best Documentary Short Subject 1993 Bronze Plaque Award – Columbus International Film and Video Fest Includes discussion guide A follow-up to Peter’s story was broadcast by HBO in January 2003; information about and video clips from the follow-up documentary, “Graduating Peter,” can be found at: http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/graduating_peter/

TITLE	What’s the Difference?
FORMAT	VHS video; 8 min.
DATE	1998
PUBLISHER	Mercury Productions http://www.mercuryproductions.com/kids.html
SUMMARY	Features teenagers with a variety of physical disabilities who talk openly about their lives Video strives to show that these children are more alike than different and to promote understanding and acceptance of disabilities
KEY WORD(S)	Disability awareness
GRADE LEVEL/AGE	Middle and high school
VENDOR	Program Development Associates (PDA) P.O. Box 2038 Syracuse, NY 13220-2038 Phone: 800-543-2119 315-452-0643 http://www.pdassoc.com/
PRODUCT NO.	#WTD145W
COST	$45.00
OTHER INFORMATION	Golden Reel Award – International Television Association – 1999 Communicator Award – 1999 Selected for Health Industry Media Showcase Association for the Care of Children’s Health 34^th Annual Conference – 1999 American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 53^rd Annual Meeting – 1999 Includes 2 page printed curriculum Video clips and transcript available online at: http://www.ttoolbox.com/training.htm

TITLE	The Mighty
FORMAT	VHS video; 100 min.
DATE	1999
PUBLISHER	Buena Vista Home Video http://www.disney.com
SUMMARY	Based on novel Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick Tells the story of friendship between a disabled boy genius and a social outcast The boys realize that together they can overcome their limitations
KEY WORD(S)	Disability awareness; family; friendships
GRADE LEVEL/AGE	Grades K-12
VENDOR	Library Video P. O. Box 580 Wynnewood, PA 19096 Phone: 1-800-843-3620 http://www.libraryvideo.com
PRODUCT NO.	K8004
COST	$9.99
OTHER INFORMATION	MPAA Rating: PG-13 Video preview available online at: http://www.doncarmody.com/Pages/mightyqs.html Cast includes: Sharon Stone, Gena Rowlands, Harry Dean Stanton, Gillian Anderson

TITLE	Miracle in Lane 2
FORMAT	VHS video; 89 min.
DATE	2000
PUBLISHER	Disney Educational Productions http://disney.go.com/educational/classroom.html
SUMMARY	Based on the true story of Justin Yoder from Goshen, Indiana Tells the story of how twelve-year old Justin manages to become the 1^st person with a disability to be a champion soap box derby racer
KEY WORD(S)	Disability awareness; Spina Bifida; biographical
GRADE LEVEL/AGE	Grades K-12
VENDOR	Disney Educational Productions 105 Terry Dr. Newton, PA 18940 Phone: 1-800-295-5010 http://dep.disney.go.com/educational/store/detail?fromsearch=1&product_id=68E76VL00
PRODUCT NO.	#68E76VL00
COST	$99.00
REVIEW(S)	School Library Journal, 6-1-2002
OTHER INFORMATION	Preview available online at: http://dep.disney.go.com/educational/store/detail?fromsearch=1&product_id=68E76VL00 Educational edition comes with instructor’s manual

TITLE	Bong and Donnell
FORMAT	VHS video; 56 min.
DATE	1998
PUBLISHER	The University of Maryland Video Press http://www.videopress.org/
SUMMARY	Chronicles the friendship between Bong, a wheel-chair bound boy with severe physical disabilities, and Donnell, an African-American boy Documentary spans nearly a dozen years Shows not only the differences, but the ways the boys are the same Examines how both boys overcome their struggles to make it through adversity and prejudice
KEY WORD(S)	Disability awareness; physically handicapped
GRADE LEVEL/AGE	Ages 7 and up
VENDOR	Films for the Humanities and Sciences P. O. Box 2053 Princeton, NJ 08543-2053 www.films.com
PRODUCT NO.	BVL30376
COST	$129.95, price includes performance rights
REVIEW(S)	“This video does its job so successfully that the viewer forgets Bong's disability... Mostly the video delights because it allows the personalities of Bong and Donnell to shine. Their insights, descriptions, and feelings rule. Viewers may come away amazed that they were actually watching a video and not personally interacting with the two young men... it is a video that should be in every school library...” Disability Studies Quarterly
OTHER INFORMATION	Cable Ace Award, Children’s Special (7 and older) Regional Emmy Award Winner, Best Documentary and Best Direction CINE Golden Eagle Bronze Plaque, Columbus International Film and Video Festival St. Aton Foundation Award – 1996 Disability Film Festival

APPENDIX

Educating Peter / produced and directed by Thomas C. Goodwin, Geraldine...

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Disability Resources on the Internet – Provides a large variety of information resources available on the Internet

http://disabilityresources.org/

Call Me Capable – Lists famous people and their disabilities

http://callmecapable.com/know.htm

Band-Aides and Blackboards – This website is written for and by teenagers; it discusses differences involving health and illness, medical conditions and physical differences

http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/fleitas/contents.html

Resources You Can Use for Disability Awareness – This publication from the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities lists books, videos, posters, and suggested activities to help promote disability awareness

http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/bibliog/bib13.pdf

Communicating With and About People with Disabilities – Published by the U. S. Department of Labor, this is an etiquette guide for talking to people with disabilities

http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/comucate.htm

Films Involving Disabilities – Bob Lister’s compilation of films that involve characters that have disabilities

http://www.caravan.demon.co.uk/

Disability Awareness Game – “…a computer-based classroom game that may be used to present different disability awareness ideas in a classroom situation. It is designed to generate discussion based on the many misconceptions people have about disabilities.”

http://www.parentsinc.org/game.html

IDEAS FOR PROMOTION

Each year our school recognizes Disabilities Awareness Month. These videos could be used to promote awareness during that time. In addition, the video “The Mighty” could be shown as a follow-up activity after reading Freak the Mighty, on which it is based. To go along with the videos, a collection of books about or whose characters have disabilities could be put on display in the library (for example: Stuck in Neutral, Helen Keller biography, etc.)

This mediagraphy was created by:

Robin Durkel

Media Specialist - Highland Middle School - Highland, IN

rdurkel@highland.k12.in.us

Created April 2003