Beyond Awareness: Bringing Disability into Diversity in K-12 Schools & Communities

Beyond Awareness: Bringing Disability into Diversity Work in K-12 Schools & Communities is the culmination of years of passionate and transformative work. The author's Beyond Awareness events and focus have earned her multiple local media articles and news segments, the honor of Teacher of the Year, California State PTA Awards for Advocacy & Outreach, and national attention leading to inquiries and trainings. This book takes the well-intentioned, but outdated and counter-productive disability awareness (or ability awareness) models of disability awareness and replaces them with modern, research-based, anti-ableist approaches to teaching about disability. By shifting our attention away from diagnoses, and focusing on ableism, access, assistive technology, disability civil rights history, and respectful language, we can truly be change agents for a more inclusive future. Not only does this book teach readers about these fundamentals, but it also provides ideas for dignity-based presentations to young people. At a time when educators and community members need anti-bullying and social justice curricula and ideas, this essential book will complement, enhance, and make more inclusive, your efforts toward complete diversity appreciation.