Virtual DIsability Awareness

Pre K - 5: Introduction to Disability Awareness

This presentation is a perfect introduction into a conversation about disability. This will be a two-part presentation consisting of two LIVE Online Classes. 

Part 1- Ian Smith and Jake Counts will give an introduction to the world of disabilities, talk about Jake’s career as a professional wheelchair basketball player, and talk about the adaptation that people with disabilities use in their everyday life. (Approx. 30 minutes) 

After the presentation, teachers will collect any questions students have about what they have learned. 

Part 2- Ian and Jake return for a question and answer with the student questions teachers have collected. The presentation will end with the prompt: “Identify a problem that people with disabilities experience and come up with a solution to the problem inventing and adaptations.” We will encourage classes to write, draw or video tape their response to share with us and the community! (Approx. 30 minutes) 

Pre K - 5: Ethan the Brave

This program is based on a short film about an eight-year old boy named Ethan. He talks about what it is like to experience a disability as a student, some of the challenges he faces and the many capabilities, wishes, and hopes that he has. We worked with several local Cincinnati artists, many of whom experience disabilities, to create the artwork for this film. This presentation will end with teachers making a "Welcome Wall" to identify things students and staff can do to make someone new to their school feel more comfortable. This can be displayed in their classrooms throughout the year. (Approx 30-45 minutes)

K-12: Virtual Disability Awareness Presentation

This presentation dispels myths about persons who live with disabilities. It demonstrates to your students how they can be successful in and out of the classroom. World class wheelchair basketball athlete, Jacob Count and former special education teacher Ian Smith will have a conversation about the world of disabilities and adapted sports. During this presentation, Jacob will share his success and failures he has experienced on and off the court, to show how these experiences have benefited his life. Ian Smith will hold a question and answer period where students and faculty can ask “no holds barred” questions to gain knowledge about disabilities. This presentation will conclude with an activity to choose a sport and come up with ways to modify the rules and equipment to allow for people with other disabilities to play. This program will provide motivation to students and faculty, as well as identify how overcoming obstacles in life can provide the tools needed for success. (Approx 45 minutes)