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Barrier-Free Blog

Back to School Tips for People with Disabilities

8/28/2020

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Example visual schedule for a student with a disabilityThis is an example of my evening schedule I use in the Tiimo.

1. Ask for or Request your Accommodations. 
This may be the most important thing I talk about in this blog. In public schools, students receive accommodations through a 504 plan or an IEP. For parents whose students still have a 504 plan or an IEP, now is the time to review those plans before the school year begins. In higher learning, universities and community colleges have an ADA office where students set up a meeting and accommodations are given to students. This meeting should be set up a few weeks before the semester starts. Students with disabilities at my community college are responsible for filling out a form with the ADA office every semester to receive accommodations that are on file. At my community college, students are then responsible for giving professors the letter of accommodation on the first day of class. However, due to coronavirus my ADA office has been emailing letters to professors and copying students on the email.  

​2. Routine, Routine, Routine.
With all the changes due to coronavirus, it is important to have a routine. Some schools are teaching executively online while others are using a hybrid model where students are coming in only on certain days. It doesn't have to be a strict one or where every second of the day is scheduled. Important things to include in a routine: wake time and bedtime, mealtimes (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks), work and/or school, homework, hygiene (showering, brushing teeth, etc.), and chores. Not all of these elements need to be included as everyone's needs are different. If your into technology, putting events into a calendar on your phone is a good idea. There are hundreds of apps that have a calendar function in them as well as scheduling apps for people with disabilities. There is also an app called Tiimo specifically designed for people with disabilities to help with schedules. It can be used across multiple devices. More information can be found here: Tiimo website. Choiceworks is another great app used for scheduling for people with disabilities. Choiceworks allows you to create an unlimited amount of schedules. There is a waiting board for people with disabilities to practice waiting skills. It also includes feelings boards and feelings scales. The user is allow to choose an emotion they are feeling and two coping strategies are shown to pick from. More information can be found here: Choiceworks in the App Store.

3.  Get Organized. 
This will vary person to person depending on your needs. Some might need a planner or a checklist. Others might need color coded binders, notebooks, and folders. Some might need a tidy desk space. There are also many apps out there that can function as a planner or to help you plan out your assignments. An app I use to help plan out assignments is iStudiez Pro. iStudiez Pro allows you to create multiple types of schedules, input professor's contact information and office hours, keep track of assignments and tests, calendar integration with third party calendar events, export your schedule to share it with others, and to keep track of your grades and GPA. More information can be found here: iStudiez Pro in the App Store.  

​4. Get Connected. 
​In this time of coronavirus, it's very easy to get lonely. If you're in high school, look into your school clubs. If none interest you consider starting your own. If you are in higher learning, get connected with your school's student life office. They usually have a list of events scheduled throughout the semester. Student life offices are open to student ideas or starting a club of your own. If you are working, look into your local parks and rec. Many community support groups are now online, including Barrier-Free's monthly Zoom Social Clubs!  These social clubs are free to attend and provide opportunities to meet people from all over the world who share some of the struggles you do. Facebook groups, Facebook events, non-profit organizations, and disability are great places to look for social events. 


This is an all inclusive resource. It includes visuals, posters, lesson plans, videos, social stories/narratives, sequences, and communication boards with all things needed to know about coronavirus. 
https://www.smore.com/udqm2-covid-19-preparedness?fbclid=IwAR210UyxysPjKZ73gwpsJ2SI-BWtDwwSZHG3nTR--ARQGSsLu8Q8kfTWg30


Photo of Barrier-Free blogger Emily Wachter, an adult with autism

Written by Emily Wachter

Emily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a social worker. In addition to autism, Emily has a plethora of other physical and mental conditions, which include: Attention Deficit Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, 3Q29 Deletion Syndrome, Non-classical Diamond Blackfan Anemia, and Deaf in my right ear. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.

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Let's Perform on Zoom!

8/17/2020

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It's official!  We'll see you on Zoom!
After reviewing the survey responses and recommendations from local and state health officials, Barrier-Free has decided to hold our fall program, "The Art of Performing" via Zoom.
 
Here are some of the survey results from the Actor & Parent Survey that were heavily considered in our decision making.
Some other factors involved in our decision include:
  • Maryland group size restrictions of 10 individuals
  • Considerations with comfort/ability for our actors to wear masks
  • Actors/staff with additional health considerations that pose greater COVID-19 risk
In our survey, we also asked for input regarding an appropriate length for a Zoom class.
Based on survey results and experiences with our summer Actors & Puppeteers class, we have decided that "The Art of Performing" will run for one hour from 6:30 - 7:30pm.

Company A will meet Sept. 14 - Dec. 14 from 6:30 - 7:30 (skipping Nov. 23)
Company B will meet Sept. 16 - Dec. 16 from 6:30 - 7:30 (skipping Nov 25)


Zoom class will incorporate acting, singing, dancing, and social interaction!
So what's next?
  If you're already registered for "The Art of Performing" and you're happy to attend via Zoom - you don't need to do anything.  Further information will be sent in the coming weeks.


  If you're already registered for "The Art of Performing" and you do not want to attend via Zoom, send us an email and we will cancel your registration with a full refund - no questions asked!


 If you're not registered and want to reserve your spot on Zoom now click the appropriate link below:

Company A for adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.
Company B for adults with autism


 If you're not registered and you don't think you or your actor would benefit from Zoom.  We ask you to please give the class a two-week trial period.  Have you seen the movie performed by our actors during "Actors & Puppeteers?"  We can create some amazing work and connections via this online platform.  We promise our class will be engaging and beneficial for actors of all abilities.  See our full COVID-19 refund policy at BarrierFreeMD.com/enroll.


 If you have a dual diagnosis and you're usually enrolled in both Companies, feel free to enroll in both again.  Although both companies will incorporate all performance elements, the final products will be unique for each company.  Please reach out to Britt (brittburr@barrierfreemd.com) with questions about eligibility for dual enrollment.
While our companies will meet via Zoom, we understand the need and desire for in-person interaction.
Barrier-Free plans to hold limited enrollment, low-cost, in-person outdoor social clubs in the months of Sept, Oct, Nov, & Dec (weather permitting).

Our first in-person social club will be Kickball & Lemonade in the park on a Saturday in September.  Stay tuned to your email for more details and registration opportunities soon. 

Virtual social clubs will also continue on a monthly basis.
A Note from our Leaders

To our Barrier-Free Family,

As areas of our society begin to re-open and move forward with safety provisions, please know that the decision to continue our programming through Zoom was not easy.  We want nothing more than to share an artistic space with you in-person where we can act, hug, and perform our hearts out!

We recognize that barriers and health considerations presented to individuals with disabilities are often more profound.  Above all, when making the final decision to remain virtual, we wanted to make sure our actors, staff, and families remain safe and healthy.  While we would love to see everyone in-person in September, we know that making these changes for the present will benefit the greater good in the long-term.

Our mission remains the same, and we are committed to ensuring our programs are engaging and accessible, even via Zoom.  If you or your actor are facing difficulties with navigating a digitally connected world, we would love to work with you to create an individualized plan for success.

Lastly, we need your help!  Please consider sharing this wonderful Zoom opportunity and class flyer with friends near and far.  By hosting class on Zoom, we are breaking down distance barriers and would love to welcome new members!

We appreciate your continued love & support of Barrier-Free's success.

Let's continue to create, express, and achieve together,


       

Britt Burr/Creative Director & Lauren Burr/Executive Director
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    About our Blog

    The Barrier-Free blog exists as a space to share Barrier-Free news, helpful information, and a creative sharing space.

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 7520 Main Street #103 Sykesville, MD 21784   |   Email: info@barrierfreemd.com    |   Phone: 301-799-8669 (text preferred)   |   EIN: 84-2964880
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We are proud to be funded in part by a Community Arts Development Grant from the Carroll County Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council
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Barrier-Free is committed to providing access to our web pages for individuals with disabilities. The content of this site has been tested for usability and accessibility using a combination of standards-based, automated procedures and accepted heuristic methods. We make every effort to comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Compliance is an ongoing process and we encourage notification when information on our website is inaccessible. If for any reason you are having difficulty accessing any of our resources please contact  Lauren Burr, Executive Director at laurenburr@barrierfreemd.com.

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